Transfer Tracker

Columbus Crew acquire Jake Morris in trade with Seattle Sounders

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade

  • CLB receive: defender Jake Morris
  • SEA receive: $50,000 in General Allocation Money

Following a trade with the Seattle Sounders, the Columbus Crew have signed defender Jake Morris through the 2023 season with options for 2024 and 2025, the clubs announced Friday.

Columbus acquired Morris' MLS homegrown priority from Seattle, with the Sounders getting $50,000 in General Allocation Money for 2022. Seattle could net an additional $50,000 GAM should Morris meet performance-based incentives.

The 22-year-old joins his younger brother in Columbus, highly-touted homegrown midfielder Aidan Morris, making the duo the 19th pair of siblings to play together in MLS.

ā€œWe would like to welcome Jake to the Crew,ā€ Crew president and GM Tim Bezbatchenko said in a release. ā€œJake is a young player whose addition to our roster will help increase the depth of our backline. We look forward to incorporating him into our squad and working with him as he continues his professional development.ā€

Jake Morris represented Campbell University from 2020-21, making 28 appearances while registering seven goals and nine assists. He also featured at Tyler Junior College before heading to the NCAA Division 1 ranks.

Prior to his collegiate career, Morris was part of the Sounders Academy from 2016-18. In Seattle, the defender featured for now-MLS NEXT PRO side Tacoma Defiance.

This week Columbus have also signed homegrown midfielder Sean Zawadzki and free-agent defender Jalil Anibaba as they look to rebound from a 2021 season where they missed the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.