Columbus Crew SC continues to bolster their back line during the off-season.
The club is reportedly close to signing defender Jonathan Mensah, according to ESPN’s Taylor Twellman. Mensah spent the 2016 season with FC Anzhi Makhachkala of the Russian Premier League. He had signed a 2.5 year contract with the team in February.
Hearing @ColumbusCrewSC will be announcing Jonathan Mensah as their new signing. 26yr old, 2x World Cup defender 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼. #MLS
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) December 30, 2016
Report: Columbus Crew SC to Sign Defender Jonathan Mensah
The move, if confirmed, is aimed at solidifying a defense that struggled last season. The Black and Gold conceded 58 goals in 2016 which was tied for the second worst total in MLS. It played significant role in the club missing the playoffs one year after appearing in MLS Cup.
Injuries and departures also have Columbus fairly short-handed heading into 2017. Michael Parkhurst, who had been team captain during his three years with Crew SC, signed with Atlanta United on December 11th. Eight days later, the club announced that Gaston Sauro will be forced to miss all of 2017 due to multiple knee surgeries.
Mensah brings extensive experience at international level. He has 36 caps with the Ghanaian national team and has appeared in the previous two World Cups. In 2015, he played every minute of Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign. The Black Stars made it all the way to the final, losing to Cote d’Ivoire in penalty kicks.
The 26-year-old is expected to take up a designated player spot. Crew SC investor/operator Anthony Precourt hinted at a high-priced acquisition earlier in the week. If so, he’ll be the second DP on the team, joining Federico Higuain.
I anticipate @ColumbusCrewSC announcing DP2 signing next week…#crewsc
— Anthony Precourt (@APrecourt) December 28, 2016
Thus far, Crew SC’s primary acquisitions ahead of the 2017 season have focused on the back line. The Black and Gold brought in Finnish left back Jukka Raitala on December 23rd. They also signed academy product and collegiate standout Alex Crognale to a Homegrown contract. In addition, the club acquired Josh Williams in the second phase of the MLS Re-Entry Draft.
Crew SC’s preseason begins with a camp in São Paulo, Brazil from January 23rd to February 9th. The team returns to Columbus for a short camp at SuperKick in Powell, OH before heading to Charleston, SC for the Carolina Challenge Cup. MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders, expansion side Atlanta United FC and the Charleston Battery of USL will also take part.
