Max Arfsten set to join Middlesbrough’s growing MLS contingent as familiar faces await
Fresh from signing Sebastian Berhalter, Middlesbrough is reportedly about to seal the arrival of another player from Major League Soccer.
Max Arfsten is set to become the latest U.S. international on Middlesbrough’s books, with the Columbus Crew wingback reportedly poised to tie up a move to the English second-tier club.
How much would Arfsten cost Boro?
The Athletic’s Tom Bogert reports that Arfsten is close to signing for Boro in a transfer worth a potential $7.5 million. Citing sources with insider knowledge of the deal, Bogert has revealed that the 25-year-old is expected to fly out “in the coming days” to finalize the switch.
Arfsten has been with the Crew since 2023, making 114 appearances in all competitions for the Major League Soccer team. A two-time MLS All-Star - including this year - the California native was part of the Columbus side that won the 2023 MLS Cup and 2024 Leagues Cup.
A senior international since January 2025, Arfsten has earned 21 caps for the U.S. men’s team. Although part of the Stars and Stripes’ roster for this summer’s World Cup, he was limited to a brief appearance in the USMNT’s round-of-16 defeat to Belgium.
Boro’s ex-MLS contingent
At Middlesbrough, Arfsten would team up with fellow USMNT players Aidan Morris - an ex-Crew teammate who joined Boro in 2024 - and Sebastian Berhalter, who swapped Vancouver Whitecaps for England earlier this week.
As noted by Bogert, Boro’s first-team squad also includes two further players with MLS pasts. Australia international Riley McGree and the Frenchman Adilson Malanda, both formerly of Charlotte FC, have been part of the EFL Championship club’s roster since 2022 and 2025, respectively.
🇺🇸 At Middlesbrough, Max Arfsten will join:
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) July 31, 2026
- Aidan Morris (former Columbus Crew teammate, joined 2024)
- Sebastian Berhalter (former Vancouver Whitecaps, Crew academy midfielder, joined this week)
- Adilson Malanda (former Charlotte FC CB, joined in Jan.)
- Riley McGree… https://t.co/N0NJlo07GS
Can Boro make it back to EPL?
In the 2026/27 season, Middlesbrough will be chasing a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2016/17. Now coached by Kim Hellberg, the Teessiders just missed out on promotion last term, losing the Championship playoff final to Hull City.
When could Arfsten make his debut for Middlesbrough?
Boro begins its league campaign on Saturday, August 15, hosting Lincoln City at the Riverside (10:00 a.m. ET).
Before their Championship kickoff, Hellberg’s men face Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham in the Carabao Cup on Friday, August 7 (3:00 p.m. ET). Per Teesside Live, Arfsten could make his Middlesbrough debut against the Red Dragons, subject to receiving international clearance in time.
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