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Kamada departure expected as Palace plan midfield refresh
Daichi Kamada is set to leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season, with Sky Sports reporting that the midfielder’s contract will expire in the summer and there is a full expectation he will depart at that point. There are currently no active discussions over a renewal, bringing clarity to a situation that has been quietly moving in one direction.
Kamada joined Palace as a free agent in 2024, a signing driven by head coach Oliver Glasner after their successful spell together at Eintracht Frankfurt, where they won the Europa League in 2022. That existing relationship shaped the move, but it now appears both parties are preparing for change.
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Palace and Kamada aligned on summer exit
The Japan international is expected to seek a fresh challenge, mirroring Glasner’s own career trajectory. At 29, Kamada sits at a stage where his next decision carries weight, and Palace appear content to let the agreement run its course rather than force an extension.
His time in south London has been mixed. Kamada made a slow start adapting to the Premier League, but his contribution to Palace’s FA Cup triumph last summer ensured his spell will be remembered positively. More recently, he returned from a hamstring injury during the win over Brighton & Hove Albion, underlining his professionalism even as his future edges towards resolution.
Midfield planning already underway
Palace have already explored midfield reinforcements. A winter move for Everton midfielder Dwight McNeil collapsed on Deadline Day, while enquiries were also made for Japanese international NEC Nijmegen player Kodai Sano. That deal stalled due to the Dutch club’s strong Eredivisie campaign.
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With Kamada’s exit anticipated, those searches now look like early groundwork rather than short term fixes.
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This news feels more pragmatic than painful. Kamada was never a long term project signing, and while his early struggles tested patience, his role in the FA Cup win secured his place in Palace folklore. For that alone, he leaves with respect.
There is also an acceptance that Palace need evolution in midfield. The winter window showed intent, even if deals did not materialise. Allowing Kamada to leave on a free is not ideal financially, but it does free wages and opens space for a younger, more dynamic profile that fits Glasner’s system over several seasons.
Supporters will hope the club act decisively this summer. The McNeil pursuit and interest in Kodai Sano suggest a clear idea of what is needed. If Kamada’s departure accelerates that refresh, many fans will see it as a sensible step rather than a setback.
