Andrés Campos has signed a three-year deal with Crystal Palace following a summer in which his future at CD Leganés had quietly reached an impasse, bringing an unusual but clear conclusion to what had become something of a long-running behind-the-scenes story in Spanish football circles.
The move comes after Campos was deemed surplus to requirements at Leganés, where first-team opportunities were limited and his involvement in competitive matchday squads had all but disappeared in recent months. Rather than continue in a peripheral role in Madrid, both parties agreed that a fresh start would be the most suitable outcome.
Campos has now completed his switch to South London, where he will take up a position within the backroom structure at Crystal Palace. The agreement, which runs for three seasons, formalises a role that is more operational than sporting, with Campos expected to contribute in a support capacity around the senior team setup.
While the transfer has generated attention due to its unusual nature, Palace sources insist it fits within the club’s broader commitment to strengthening their infrastructure off the pitch as well as on it. The Premier League side have increasingly invested in behind-the-scenes personnel in recent years, recognising the importance of logistics, preparation and day-to-day support in maintaining high-performance standards.
Campos’ duties will centre on his role as kit man, a position known in Spain as “utillero”, which involves managing equipment, organising training materials and ensuring players and coaching staff have all necessary resources during training sessions and matchdays. It is a role often understated in public discourse but regarded internally as essential to the smooth functioning of any elite football environment.
For Campos, the move represents both continuity and progression. Although he will not be involved on the pitch in a playing capacity, the opportunity to operate within a Premier League club structure is seen as a significant step in his professional journey. Palace are understood to have been impressed by his professionalism and willingness to adapt, qualities that ultimately helped facilitate the agreement.
At Leganés, there is no suggestion of ill feeling surrounding his departure, with club officials acknowledging that the decision was made in the best interests of all parties. His exit allows the Spanish side to streamline their staff structure ahead of the new campaign.
The announcement has drawn attention largely because of its framing, but within both clubs it is viewed as a straightforward administrative move. Campos will now begin his new role immediately, linking up with the Palace squad ahead of pre-season preparations at Selhurst Park.
In what has been described internally as a “clean break and fresh chapter”, the expectation is that he will integrate quickly into the daily rhythm of the Premier League environment as Crystal Palace continue to refine every detail of their football operation ahead of the new season.
