Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Fri 13 March 2026 9:45, UK

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Daichi Kamada was in fine form for Crystal Palace as they drew 0-0 with AEK Larnaca in the first leg of their last-16 Conference League tie on Thursday.

The Eagles had several chances at Selhurst Park, but were unable to find a way past goalkeeper Zlatan Alomerovic.

Kamada’s display was his eighth since returning from a hamstring injury that had left him ruled out since December.

The midfielder is set to leave on a free transfer this summer after failing to agree a new contract at Selhurst Park.

The 29-year-old has been with the Eagles since 2024, when he signed on a free transfer from Italian side Lazio.

Daichi Kamada impresses against AEK Larnaca

In October, Football Insider exclusively revealed that Palace were keen to extend Kamada’s contract after a strong start to the season.

The Japan international did not always impress in his first season at the club, but became more and more key towards the end of the season.

The midfielder played the full 90 minutes as Palace won the FA Cup, and he seemed to take that momentum into this season.

Alongside Adam Wharton, Kamada created a superb midfield pivot as the Eagles enjoyed a brilliant start.

But his injury in December seemed to coincide with Palace’s struggles. In fact, Oliver Glasner’s side did not win a single Premier League game in the over two months the 29-year-old was unavailable for.

Kamada returned in February at Brighton – the game that put an end to a run of nine league games without a win.

Against AEK Larnaca on Thursday, he was key once again. Kamada created three chances, completed 11 passes into the final third, and indirectly created Palace’s biggest opening when his deflected shot fell into the path of Tyrick Mitchell.

His defensive work was resolute, with the 29-year-old making two tackles, two clearances, and four recoveries across the 90 minutes.

Kamada will follow Oliver Glasner

Glasner first came across Kamada when he was appointed by Eintracht Frankfurt in 2021.

The Japan international had already been there since 2017, and was coming off the back of a superb Bundesliga season.

The pair hit it off immediately, with Kamada scoring 16 goals across all competitions in the 2022-23 season under the Austrian.

When Glasner left in 2023, so did the midfielder, joining Lazio while his former manager waited before deciding on his next move.

And five months after the 51-year-old had arrived in South London, so did Kamada, signing a contract that conveniently managed to line up with his manager’s.

Wherever Glasner goes next in the summer, it can only be assumed that his favourite midfielder will not be too far behind.