Aboubacar Keita

HOW ACQUIRED: Signed as a Homegrown Player on Jan. 22, 2019.

The Homegrown center back opened eyes in his first year as a professional with eight starts in 10 appearances. The 20-year-old continued his growth in his second season with 10 starts in 11 appearances. 

• ColumbusCrewSC.com: Keita's profile

INTERNATIONAL: Keita made five appearances (all starts) for the U.S. Under-20 national team during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, helping the U.S. reach the quarterfinals. He's previously featured for the U.S. Under-19 team.

COLLEGE: Keita, a Columbus, Ohio native, started every match for the University of Virginia, making 17 appearances (all starts) and scoring one goal in 2018. His efforts in his first year at the University of Virginia helped his team to a winning 10-4-3 overall record. Additionally, the defender played a key role in the Virginia Cavaliers’ Third Round run in the 2018 NCAA College Cup. Keita’s performance earned him a spot in the All-Atlantic Coast Conference All-Freshman Team.