Columbus Crew secure former Barcelona midfielder in an official transfer, boosting their midfield depth significantly.
The move underscores the Black & Gold’s ambition to defend their Supporters’ Shield credentials and chase MLS Cup glory under Wilfried Nancy, blending European pedigree with their homegrown core amid roster rebuilds post-Darlington Nagbe’s retirement.
The 32-year-old Portuguese international, with 34 caps and a storied resume including Champions League triumphs at Barça (2016-19), brings composure, vision, and box-to-box dynamism honed at Valencia, PSG loans, and Goodison Park.
The player is former Barcelona midfielder André Gomes, who joins from Everton on a free transfer with a multi-year deal reportedly worth $1.5m annually, as per the official Columbus Crew statement.
Columbus Crew GM Tim Bezbatchenko hailed Gomes as “a proven winner whose technical quality elevates our midfield,” slotting him alongside Daniel Gazdag, Dylan Chambost, and rising talents like Taha Habroune.
Gomes’ arrival fills the void left by Nagbe’s exit, offering leadership and creativity to a squad eyeing Leagues Cup and Concacaf Champions Cup repeats.
His 2025 Everton form – 2 goals, 4 assists in 22 starts despite injury niggles – promises rotation with Amar Sejdic and Max Arfsten, enhancing transitions to forwards Diego Rossi and Jacen Russell-Rowe.
Nancy’s fluid 4-2-3-1 thrives on such profiles, with Gomes’ 89% pass accuracy and set-piece threat addressing playoff frailties exposed last postseason.
For Gomes, Columbus Crew represents reinvention after inconsistent Premier League minutes and a Barcelona peak overshadowed by injuries.
Leaving Europe aligns with peers like Olivier Giroud (LAFC) and Lorenzo Insigne (Toronto), chasing silverware in a league buoyed by Apple TV deals and global eyes pre-2026 World Cup.
Columbus Crew, fresh off 2025’s Eastern Conference final run, embrace the glamour coup alongside recent adds like Sekou Bangoura and Jamal Thiaré.
As training camp ramps up at the renamed ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Gomes’ debut could ignite a title charge.
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