One of many premier goalscorers in current MLS historical past is again.
Diego Rossi joined the Columbus Crew as a Designated Participant on Wednesday, signing via the 2026 MLS season with an possibility for 2027. Rossi has beforehand been with Turkish Tremendous Lig aspect Fenerbahce.
Rossi, 25, beforehand featured in MLS with LAFC from 2018-21, totaling 48 objectives and 21 assists in 104 common season appearances. Whereas at LAFC, Rossi was named a two-time MLS All-Star (2019, 2021) and in captured a trio of awards and recognitions in 2020: the MLS Golden Boot award, MLS Younger Participant of the 12 months award and was a MLS Finest XI choice.
“Diego is a winner and an thrilling, skillful participant, and we’re excited to welcome him to the Crew,” membership president and normal supervisor Tim Bezbatchenko stated in a launch. “He has a pure means to attain and create objectives, and he has additional demonstrated his distinctive high quality over the previous few seasons whereas competing in Europe. Diego is a good addition to our dynamic assault, and as importantly, he’s a real match for our membership’s desired tradition and magnificence of play.”
Rossi ultimately joined Fenerbahçe from LAFC in September 2021, initially on mortgage earlier than sealing a everlasting deal. He departs the Turkish giants with 10 objectives and 20 assists in 90 appearances throughout all competitions.
The Crew not too long ago misplaced star playmaker Lucas Zelarayan to Saudi Arabian membership Al Fateh.
Here’s a nearer have a look at Wednesday’s Deadline Day information:
Whitecaps add Richie Laryea on mortgage
Richie Laryea additionally returned to MLS on Wednesday, becoming a member of the Vancouver Whitecaps on mortgage from English Premier League membership Nottingham Forest.
Laryea’s deal runs via December 2023 after beforehand spending a mortgage spell with Toronto FC earlier this season. The 28-year-old recorded two objectives and three assists in 18 appearances for TFC.
“Richie is a winner, competitor, chief and has confirmed to be among the finest fullbacks in our league,” Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster stated in a launch. “For the reason that finish of 2021, he has performed in each single nationwide staff sport, together with all three World Cup video games. We’re more than happy to welcome Richie, Melanie and their son Elijah, to our household.”
Laryea’s MLS profession started in 2016 and he has since totaled 10 objectives and 14 assists in 116 appearances. A former midfielder, Laryea has primarily featured as a fullback.
He has earned 45 caps with the Canadian males’s nationwide staff, serving to Canada attain the 2022 FIFA World Cup final 12 months.
Atlanta United acquires Saba Lobzhanidze as Designated Participant
Atlanta United additionally made a serious splash on Wednesday, buying ahead Saba Lobzhanidze as a Designated Participant.
Lobzhanidze makes the transfer to MLS from Turkish Süper Lig membership Hatayspor, signing via the 2026 MLS season. The 28-year-old Georgian Worldwide joins a 5 Stripes assault which options fellow DP’s Thiago Almada and Giorgos Giakoumakis.
The 28-year-old Georgian worldwide has signed a contract via the 2026 MLS season.
“Saba is a participant we had been talking with since early within the switch window and he continued to point out his dedication and want to return to Atlanta all through the method,” vice chairman and technical director Carlos Bocanegra stated in a launch.
After excelling for his native Dinamo Tbilisi, Lobzhanidze additionally featured for Danish membership Randers, in addition to Turkish sides MKE Ankaragücü, Fatih Karagümrük and Hatayspor. Lobzhanidze has recorded 69 objectives and 57 assists in 288 profession appearances abroad.
Lobzhanidze has additionally totaled three objectives and 5 assists in 34 caps for Georgia.
The 5 Stripes might positively use a spark after dropping to seventh in current weeks within the East.
Union add attacking depth with Tai Baribo signing
The Philadelphia Union’s deep attacking pool simply acquired even deeper on Wednesday.
Tai Baribo joined the Jap Convention membership from Austrian Bundesliga aspect Wolfsberger AC, the Union introduced. The 25-year-old signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Union which is able to run via the 2025 season.
“In simply two years enjoying within the Austrian Bundesliga, Tai has confirmed himself to be an extremely harmful and productive striker,” stated Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner. “We’re constantly trying so as to add to the standard of our roster, and having one of many prime scorers within the Austrian league be part of us will assist construct on the success of this staff. We sit up for seeing what he’ll contribute the remainder of this season and going ahead
Baribo recorded a staff excessive 16 objectives and three assists this previous season for Wolfsberger. In complete, Baribo scored 27 objectives in 61 mixed appearances for the Austrian Bundesliga membership.
Internationally, Baribo has featured for the Israeli Nationwide staff, incomes 11 caps and scoring three objectives.
He joins Jim Curtin’s attacking corps which already options Daniel Gazdag, Julian Carranza, and Mikael Uhre.
Fast Kicks:
- The Portland Timbers added Brazilian winger Antony from Portuguese membership FC Arouca, the membership introduced. Antony, 21, has been signed as a part of the league’s U22 initiative. He totaled eight objectives and three assists in 63 mixed appearances for the membership.
- Atlanta United added further attacking assistance on Wednesday with Xande Silva becoming a member of on mortgage from French membership Dijon. The 26-year-old former Portuguese youth worldwide registered six objectives and three assists in 32 matches for Dijon.
- Charlotte FC bolstered its fullback choices with Jere Uronen becoming a member of the membership from Stade Brest. The 29-year-old Finnish worldwide has totaled over 300 appearances in Europe and most not too long ago spent the second half of final season with German membership Schalke.
- Actual Salt Lake everlasting acquired Braian Ojeda from Nottingham Forest after he initially joined the membership on mortgage. Ojeda, 23, has recorded two assists in 27 league matches this season for Pablo Mastroeni’s males.