By R.G.Mason

Feb. 21, 2024

COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew have signed 24-year-old defender Mohamed Farsi to a multi-year contract extension through the 2027 season with a Club option for 2028. The 2023 MLS Cup champion, 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Cup champion and 2022 MLS NEXT Best XI honoree, is currently in his third season with the Black & Gold.

“When we first signed Mo to Crew 2 in 2022, we knew that he had the potential to develop as a player and become a key contributor to the First Team, and we are proud to have signed him to this contract extension,” said Crew President and General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “Mo’s competitive nature and resilient spirit have been on display every day since he joined the team, and he has earned this new contract with the work he puts forth in games and during training. It was a priority for us to secure his long-term future with the Club as part of our growing core group of younger players, and we are pleased that Mo will continue with us and develop as a member of the Crew for years to come.”

“I am absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to continue my journey with the Columbus Crew,” said Farsi. “I would like to take the time to thank the whole organization, the coaches and all the staff for their trust, that means a lot to me. A special thanks to my family and friends who have supported me since day one, you are my source of motivation. Finally, thank you to the fans who, during good and hard moments, were always behind me, supporting me. Can’t wait to get the season started on Saturday and play at home again.”

In 2023, his first full season with the First Team, Farsi appeared in 31 regular-season matches (23 starts), and tallied five assists. He appeared in all three of the Club’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and recorded his first senior goal on April 26, an 83^rd minute game-winner against Indy Eleven, and additionally appeared in all three of the Crew’s Leagues Cup matches. In the postseason, Farsi made five playoff appearances (four starts), including 86 minutes in the MLS Cup final on Dec. 9, helping the Crew capture the third MLS Cup in Club history.

Farsi signed with Crew 2 on March 18, 2022. After starting the first 11 games of the MLS NEXT Pro season, Farsi made two appearances for the First Team while on short-term loan, coming in as a substitute in the Black & Gold’s matches against Charlotte FC (June 18) and Real Salt Lake (June 25). He officially signed with the Crew on July 22. He spent time with both of the Crew’s MLS and MLS NEXT Pro teams the remainder of the season, appearing in 20 total games (19 starts) for Crew 2, scoring two goals and finishing the season tied for a league-leading 10 assists. He also played seven First Team games, notching his first career MLS assist in the 89^th minute of a 2-1 comeback victory over the New York Red Bulls on Oct. 1.

On Sept. 18, after dressing for the First Team’s match against the Portland Timbers at Lower.com Field, Farsi was able to arrive at Historic Crew Stadium during halftime of Crew 2’s Heck is Plausible rivalry clash against FC Cincinnati. He entered the match at the start of the second half, and in 45 minutes scored two goals and added three assists as Crew 2 cruised to a 9-0 victory, securing the best regular-season record (16-3-5, 55 points) in MLS NEXT Pro.

Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, to Algerian parents, Farsi represented his hometown side, Club Soccer Longueuil, before signing with Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 team AS Aïn M’lila for the 2019 season. In 2020, Farsi joined Canadian Premier League side Calvary FC, and that year was recognized as the Canadian Premier League’s Best Under-21 Canadian Player of the Year, while also capturing goal of the year honors. In two seasons with Calvary, he made 38 appearances across all competitions, registering two goals and five assists.

Farsi made his international debut for Canada on Jan. 31, 2020, against Costa Rica during the Concacaf Futsal Championship. He scored the decisive goal in the 2-1 victory, lifting Canada to its first-ever win over the two-time Concacaf champions. For his efforts, Farsi was named Canada Soccer Futsal Player of the Year for 2020. He additionally represented Canada at the youth level, appearing twice for the U-23 Men’s National Team during 2021 Concacaf Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

The Black & Gold are set to open the 2024 MLS season at home against Atlanta United on Saturday, Feb. 24 at Lower.com Field at 2 p.m. ET. Single-match tickets for the 2024 season are now on sale and can be purchased at columbuscrew.com/tickets.

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