Official: Columbus Crew SC acquire Darlington Nagbe from Atlanta United

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Trade

Columbus Crew SC have acquired midfielder Darlington Nagbe from Atlanta United for a total of $1,050,000 million in allocation money as well as a 2020 international roster spot, the clubs announced Wednesday.  

Atlanta will receive $700,000 in Targeted Allocation Money, $150,000 in General Allocation Money in 2020 as well as $200,000 in TAM for the 2021 MLS season.

“Darlington Nagbe is a proven winner and the type of player who can be a difference-maker in our team,” Crew SC president and GM Tim Bezbatchenko said in a statement. “In addition to his skill set, we believe that Darlington is someone whose character and values fit well within our organization. As we stated heading into this offseason, we continue to look both domestically and internationally for players that will make our team better, and we believe Darlington is an important part of those efforts.”

Nagbe, 29, spent the last two seasons with Atlanta, winning MLS Cup in 2018 then the U.S. Open Cup and Campeones Cup this year. He was an integral part to the team, making 55 starts during his time with the Five Stripes. 

“Darlington was a vital part of our success over the last two seasons, and we want to thank him for his service to the club and wish him the best of luck in his future,” said Atlanta United VP and technical director Carlos Bocanegra. “As with any offseason, there are difficult decisions to be made. Ultimately, this trade serves the best interests of our club long-term.”

No MLS manager knows Nagbe better than Crew boss Caleb Porter, who coached the ball-hawking midfielder for three seasons in college at Akron and then for five years with the Portland Timbers. Nagbe was selected by the Timbers No. 2 overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft and went on to make 214 appearances with the club, where Porter took over in 2013. 

Nagbe and Porter helped Portland win its first and only MLS Cup in 2015, and also reached the NCAA College Cup final twice with Akron, winning it all in 2010. He has registered 25 caps for the US men's national team but has turned down call-ups over the past couple of years.