Defender departs after three seasons with Black & Gold
| COLUMBUS – The Columbus Crew today announced that the Club has acquired up to $450,000 in allocation money from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for defender Aboubacar Keita. The Crew will receive a guaranteed $300,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) from the Rapids in 2022, and up to an additional $150,000 in GAM if certain performance incentives are met. As part of the trade, the Crew will retain a portion of the fee if Keita is transferred abroad. “From the time he joined the Academy in 2016 to helping us capture MLS Cup in 2020 and the Campeones Cup last September, Bouba’s hard work and dedication on and off the field has been truly appreciated. We wish him all the best in Colorado,” said Crew President & General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. Signed to a Homegrown contract on January 22, 2019, Keita made his professional debut on July 3 of his rookie year, going the full 90 minutes in a match against Real Salt Lake. Keita was a part of the Club’s 2020 MLS Cup title run and over the course of three seasons, started 28 of the 37 MLS matches in which he appeared. The Crew Academy product started two of the Club’s Concacaf Champions League matches in 2021 and went the full 90 minutes in the Crew’s 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul in the 2021 Campeones Cup. Crew players are set to report for entrance physicals and testing on January 16 before departing for a training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from January 18-28. With the seasonal bubble currently encompassing the field at Historic Crew Stadium, the Crew will train in-market from February 1-6 at the OhioHealth Performance Center prior to traveling to Charleston, South Carolina, for the second trip of the preseason from February 7-19. The Black & Gold are set to open the 2022 MLS season by hosting Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Lower.com Field in Opening Match on Saturday, February 26 at 3:30 p.m. ET. Following the home opener, the Crew hits the road and travels to face the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park on March 5 for the first away match of the season. The Crew’s full schedule for the 2022 MLS regular season can be found at ColumbusCrew.com. The 2022 season will be the Black & Gold’s first full season at Lower.com Field, located in Astor Park. Fans looking to experience Crew matches have a number of options as Season Ticket Members for 2022, which include benefits such as private, member-only events; a 10 percent discount at the Crew Shop; monthly, interest-free payment plans; the ability to purchase discounted parking; pre-sale access to all events at Lower.com Field, Historic Crew Stadium and FirstEnergy Stadium; and a dedicated account manager and service representative. Supporters interested in securing Season Ticket Memberships or placing deposits for the 2022 MLS season can call 614-447-2739, visit columbuscrew.com/tickets or email seasontickets@columbuscrew.com to get connected with a Ticket Sales Representative. Fans can also purchase Nine-Match Ticket Plans by placing a deposit for as little as $100, providing fans limited game selection flexibility and access to pre-sales. Fans wanting to attend matches with single match tickets can sign up for single match ticket priority which will give access to purchase before the general public. TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew acquires up to $450,000 in Allocation Money from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for defender Aboubacar Keita. The Crew receives a guaranteed $300,000 in General Allocation Money and up to $150,000 in conditional GAM.ABOUT COLUMBUS CREWColumbus Crew is the first club in Major League Soccer. The Crew is operated by The Edwards Family and Haslam Sports Group. The Black & Gold are the 2020 MLS Cup Champions and the 2021 Campeones Cup winners. The Club won its first MLS Cup championship in 2008 and also won the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as MLS Supporters’ Shield titles in 2004, 2008 and 2009. The 2022 campaign will be the Columbus Crew’s 27th season in MLS as well as the Club’s first full season at Lower.com Field. Website: ColumbusCrew.com | Twitter: @ColumbusCrew | Instagram: @ColumbusCrew | TikTok: @ColumbusCrew96 | Hashtag: #Crew96 | Facebook.com/columbuscrew | App: ColumbusCrew.com/app | Stadium: Lower.com Field | Training Facility: OhioHealth Performance Center |
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