Óscar Mingueza's first interview: "It's an exciting time to join"
Óscar Mingueza says he can't wait to get started after joining Crystal Palace to become the first signing of the Pierre Sage-era.
The Spain international has put pen to paper on a four-year deal which will run until the summer of 2030.
And although his teammates have yet to return for pre-season training, Mingueza is already thinking about getting started.
“I think it's a really good place for me and for my family to be in London, and I'm really excited," he told Palace TV. “I already want to start training and playing.
“I think it’s an exciting time. It’s something that made me want to come to Crystal Palace – the new coach, the way he plays and that the last few years at this club have been really good.
“I hope we can continue going on and we will try to win more trophies.”
In terms of what Palace supporters can expect from him, Mingueza focused on his ability with the ball as well as defensive attributes.
"I’m a player who tries to find a good pass," he added. "I like to play a lot of passes first time. I like to drive forward and cross the ball.
“I believe I can defend higher and use my speed. But I’m excited for the supporters to get to know me and for me to show my best."
Mingueza came through at Barcelona, playing with some of the biggest names in football as he rose through the ranks at the Catalan giants.
“In the Barcelona academy, La Masia, it’s a great place to grow up," he added. "In every category of football, you are learning, whether you are 10-years-old or whether you are 16-years-old.
“They teach you about the values of football in life. It’s really good and it’s part of me because I grew up in this environment.
“And I played with a lot of top players, Jordi Alba, Busi [Sergio Busquets], [Gerard] Piqué and Lionel Messi. It was a really good time and I enjoyed it a lot.
“But now I’m excited to be here with these players. So it’s a really good time for me."
And Mingueza won't be a stranger in the dressing room at Copers Cope, having played with two of his new teammates previously.
“I know Yéremy [Pino] from the national team," he added. "And I played with Jørgen Strand Larsen at Celta Vigo. We had really good chemistry and I hope that continues!”
Mingueza's home debut could come against Manchester City in Palace's second fixture of the new Premier League season. But he revealed that it won't be his first visit to South London.
“I have visited Selhurst Park before," he said. "It was two or three years ago, for Crystal Palace against Brighton.
“It was a crazy atmosphere! It looked a really hard game... a tough game, but the fans were so supportive.
“I remember the Palace fans screaming and jumping all the time. It was a really good atmosphere.”