Columbus Crew acquired Brais Méndez from Real Sociedad as a Designated Player on July 2, 2026. The midfielder is set to strengthen the Black & Gold for the second part of the season, but he cannot join the roster until his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa arrive.
Issa Tall on the move
Issa Tall said, “We are excited to add Brais to our team and welcome him to Columbus.” He added that Méndez’s “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.”
Tall also said, “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 contract runs through the 2028-29 season with a Club option for the 2029-30 campaign.
Real Sociedad and Spain
Méndez arrives with 33 goals and 24 assists in 166 matches for Real Sociedad. He helped the club qualify for the UEFA Champions League following the 2022-23 season, then scored three goals in seven Champions League matches.
His tournament debut came on Sept. 20, 2023, when he scored the opening goal in a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan. He also helped Real Sociedad win the Copa Del Rey title in 2026 after a 4-3 penalty shootout against Atletico Madrid on April 19.
The move also adds a player with a longer Spain track record. Méndez made his professional debut on Sept. 21, 2017, in a 1-1 draw against Getafe, scored his first senior goal in the 92nd minute against Athletic Bilbao on March 31, 2018, and later scored the winner in his senior international debut for Spain in a 1-0 friendly over Bosnia on Nov. 18, 2018.
July 13 roster window
Méndez will occupy an international roster slot pending the required paperwork, and Columbus Crew expects to add him when the MLS secondary transfer window opens on July 13. The transfer fee and salary package were not stated, so the deal’s financial size is still hidden behind the roster rules that will determine when he can actually take the field.
