MLS
Columbus Crew look to sign former MLS All-Star Diego Rossi
After three years with Turkish giants Fenerbahce the former LAFC forward is reportedly close to a return to the league with Wilfred Nancy’s side.
Columbus Crew are looking to make a major move in the secondary transfer window as they target Diego Rossi, a two-time MLS All-Star.
Rossi joined LAFC as a 19-year-old and went on to become one of the league’s hottest talents during four years in Los Angeles. The Uruguayan scored the team’s first MLS goal and he helped them to their first major trophy, the Supporters Shield in 2019.
After a two-year spell in Turkey with Fenerbahce, The Athletic reports that Columbus Crew are attempting to bring Rossi back to MLS this summer. The league’s secondary transfer window ends at midnight on Wednesday night.
LAFC legend Rossi already proven in MLS
Rossi made his debut for Peñarol at the age of just 17 and quickly impressed in the Uruguayan top flight. In 2018 he was signed as a young designated player by LAFC and he would go on to play more than 120 games for the team over the next four seasons.
In addition to the 2019 Supporters Shield, LAFC also reached the final of the CONCACAF Champions League during Rossi’s time at the club. As a player, he morphed from a tricky winger into a clinical goalscorer, finishing as the MLS Gold Boot winner in 2020. He was one of the most potent attacking talents in the league during his time with LAFC and was selected in the MLS Best XI for 2020.
In this season’s MLS, Columbus already boast the best goalscoring numbers in the league. The arrival of a proven talent like Rossi could tip the team into serious MLS Cup contention.
Columbus have DP vacancy after Zelarayán departure
Rossi’s likely arrival would fill the final designated player spot on the Columbus Crew roster after the team lost a key player earlier this week.
Playmaker Lucas Zelarayán left the Crew on Monday after agreeing a transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Fateh. Cash-rich Saudi clubs have been snapping up talented players all summer and Zelarayán is the latest to move to the league.
The Argentina-born Armenian had played in Columbus for three and a half years, since leaving Liga MX side Tigres UANL in December 2019. He was a key part of both the 2020 MLS Cup and 2021 Campeones Cup victories.
At 31 Zelarayán’s is approaching the twilight of his career, but after featuring in the MLS All-Star game in 2021 and 2023 he is clearly still a top player. Columbus Crew president and general manager Tim Bezbatchenko thanked Zelarayán for his efforts for the team:
“When we signed Lucas, we knew he would make an immediate impact on our team, our club and our city, and we thank him for being a key contributor to the club’s recent success and helping launch this new era of the Crew.”