COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew announced today the signing of Chilean attacking midfielder Sebastian Rozental.
The deal is pending approval of his work permit. Per team and league policy, no terms of the deal were disclosed. Rozental, 29, will be classified as a Senior International.
"This is a good opportunity for me," said Rozental. "I had the chance to come to MLS a couple of years ago and didn't, but now is the right time. The Crew is a good organization with some good players. I know the team didn't make the playoffs last year but hopefully I can come in and help the team achieve its goals."
Rozental was reared in the Universidad de Catolica youth system and has played 35 times with the Chilean National Team. The 5-10 Santiago, Chile native can play attacking midfielder or forward.
"Sebastian is a very attractive player," said Schmid. "He has a huge pedigree in soccer and he has a strong desire to play in the States. He has the potential to be an impact player in this league."
His professional experience includes stints with Chilean First Division sides Universidad de Catolica (1992-1996 and 2005), Colo Colo (2001), and Union Espanola (2003-04), as well Scottish First Division power Rangers (1996-2000), Swiss First Division team Grasshopper Zurich (2003-04) and Argentine First Division club Independiente (2001).
"Sebastian Rozental is a smart and creative soccer player with tremendous instincts," said Crew General Manager Mark McCullers. "He is going to make us a much better team in the offensive third of the field. In Rozental and Gonzalez, we've accomplished two quality international singings with our allocation assets still intact and available for other opportunities."
The Crew is continuing preparations for the upcoming MLS SuperDraft. The Crew contingent is attending the adidas MLS Player Combine on January 12-15 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California. The combine concludes five days before the draft.
The 2006 MLS SuperDraft will then be held on January 20 in Philadelphia, in conjunction with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Convention at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
The Crew owns three picks in the four-round draft (12 picks per round), including two picks in the first round, the third and ninth picks. Columbus also has the 27th overall pick, which is the third pick in the third round.
The Crew obtained their second first-round pick in exchange for sending Jeff Cunningham to Colorado on January 14, 2005. Columbus does not have a second-round pick after sending their natural second-round pick to FC Dallas for Cornell Glen on April 26, 2005, who has since been traded to Colorado for defender Ritchie Kotschau. The Crew does not have a fourth-round pick after a January, 24, 2004 trade with D.C. to acquire Devin Barclay.
SEBASTIAN ROZENTAL
Nationality: Chile
Height: 5-10; Weight: 175
Born: September 1, 1976 (29)
Professional Experience: Universidad de Catolica, Chile (1992-96); Rangers, Scotland (1996-2000); Independiente, Argentina (2000); Colo Colo, Chile (2001); Grasshopper Zurich, Switzerland (2002-03); Union Espanola, Chile (2003-04); Universidad de Catolica, Chile (2005); Puerto Rico Islanders, USL1 (2005, 2 months)
