Transfer Tracker

Columbus Crew sign goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen

Nicholas Hagen - transfer - Columbus crew

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing

The Columbus Crew have signed Guatemala national team goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen through the 2024 MLS season with options from 2025-26, the club announced Thursday.

Hagen, 27, was a free agent after last competing for Israeli Premier League side Bnei Sakhnin FC.

“Nicholas has solid experience from his time abroad and with the Guatemalan national team that provides additional depth to our already strong group of goalkeepers,” Crew president and general manager Tim Bezbatchenko said in a release. 

“We have a significantly higher number of games next year across multiple competitions, and it’s important that we continue to add depth and competition to our roster.”

Hagen has posted 75 clean sheets in 204 professional appearances spanning CSD Municipal (Guatemala), Sabail (Azerbaijan), HamKam (Norway) and Bnei Sakhnin (Isreal). He's also featured extensively for Guatemala at the international level, recording 34 senior caps since his 2018 debut.

In Columbus, Patrick Schulte emerged as the club’s first-choice starter en route to an MLS Cup 2023 title. Evan Bush served as the primary backup.

Heading into 2024, the Crew resume play on Feb. 24 when hosting Atlanta United (2 pm ET | MLS Season Pass). They’ll enter the Concacaf Champions Cup in early March, too.