COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed defender Ben Hunter, its fourth selection (No. 49 overall) in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, to a developmental contract. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed.
Hunter, who participated in portions of the Crew's preseason, has been training with the club again of late and appeared in its Reserve Division match at New York on May 20. He replaces defender Brandon Moss, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his left knee, on the Crew's roster. Hunter, who is celebrating his 22nd birthday today, is a native of Doncaster, England, and he will be classified as a youth international.
Hunter spent two seasons at North Carolina following a high-scoring, two-year career at the University of Rio Grande (Ohio). As a junior at UNC, he led the Tar Heels in scoring with 31 points, on 13 goals and five assists. At Rio Grande from 2003-04, Hunter totaled 43 goals and 17 assists in two seasons and led the Redmen to the NAIA national title in 2003.
Founded by American sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, the Columbus Crew is Ohio's Major League Soccer club, anchoring a diverse sports and entertainment enterprise. One of the league's Charter Members and the U.S. Open Cup champion in 2002, it recently opened its 12th season overall and ninth in first-of-its-kind Columbus Crew Stadium.
No. 28 - Ben Hunter
Position: Defender
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170
Born: June 16, 1985 (Doncaster, England)
Hometown: Doncaster, England
Citizenship: England
Last Team: North Carolina (NCAA)
How Acquired: Selected in the fourth round (No. 49 overall) of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft
Professional Experience: Rookie
TRANSACTION:
Columbus Crew (MLS) - Signed D Ben Hunter.
