Three days after acquiring Argentine playmaker Lautaro Giaccone, the Columbus Crew has made another significant addition to its attacking group. The Black & Gold announced on Thursday that they have signed Brais Méndez, a Designated Player, from La Liga side Real Sociedad. The move brings a decade of top-flight Spanish football experience to Columbus as the club looks to strengthen its push through the second half of the 2026 season.

Méndez will occupy an international roster slot once his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa are finalized. He’s expected to join the Crew roster when the MLS summer transfer window opens on July 13. The Spanish midfielder signed a deal through the 2028-29 season, with a club option for 2029-30.

“We are excited to add Brais to our team and welcome him to Columbus,” Crew general manager Issa Tall said in the press release announcing Méndez’s signing. “His high-level technical skillset and understanding of the game, displayed in one of the best leagues in the world, will have a positive impact on our roster. The addition of Brais gives our team another talented player for the short- and long-term, and we look forward to his arrival as we look to push during the second part of our season.”

The 6-foot-2 Méndez arrives in Columbus after an impressive career in Spain’s top flight. Across parts of four seasons with Real Sociedad, he tallied 33 goals and 24 assists in 166 appearances, helping the club qualify for the UEFA Champions League after the 2022-23 campaign. He also made his mark on the continental stage, scoring three goals in seven Champions League matches — including the opener in a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan in his 2023 debut. Earlier this year, Méndez was part of Real Sociedad’s Copa del Rey championship run, which culminated in a penalty shootout win over Atlético Madrid on April 19.

A product of Celta Vigo’s youth academy, Méndez turned pro with the club he grew up supporting, debuting on Sept. 21, 2017, in a 1-1 draw with Getafe. He scored his first senior goal the following March, netting a 92nd-minute equalizer against Athletic Bilbao. Over 166 appearances for Celta, Méndez recorded 22 goals and 18 assists before moving to Real Sociedad in the summer of 2022.

Internationally, Méndez has represented Spain at every youth level before earning his first of four senior caps in November 2018. He made an immediate impact, scoring the game-winning goal in a 1-0 friendly win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on his debut.

The addition of Méndez continues an active summer for the Crew, which has sought to reshape its attack during the World Cup break. The Black & Gold lost Designated Player striker Wessam Abou Ali to a season-ending knee injury in April. Forward Diego Rossi is set to depart the club this week as well. Columbus has struggled to get what it expected from Daniel Gazdag since his move from the Philadelphia Union last season.

As a Designated Player, Méndez joins a group tasked with pushing the Crew back into MLS Cup playoff contention and building toward another postseason run.

The Black & Gold will aim to have Méndez available when the MLS regular season resumes. Columbus returns from the World Cup break on July 22, hosting New York City SC at home.