The Columbus Crew continued their offseason overhaul on Friday afternoon with the signing of Chilean international forward Sebastian Rozental. Pending the granting of a work permit, the 29-year-old will join the club and be classified as one of the Crew's four senior internationals.
"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 is the fourth new player signed by the Crew in just three days, and the second Chilean. He joins countryman Marcos Gonzalez, a defender, Uganda native Joel Kitamirike and former MetroStars defender Tim Ward as new faces for the 2006 season.
With experience at the highest levels in both South America and Europe, Rozental carries an impressive resume to Ohio. Such world-renowned clubs as Colo Colo and Universidad Catolica in Chile, Grasshoppers FC of Zurich in Switzerland, Independiente of Argentina and Rangers of Scotland have all benefited from Rozental's services in the past.
"Sebastian is a very attractive player," said Crew head coach Sigi 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."
"Sebastian Rozental is a smart and creative soccer player with tremendous instincts," added 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 signings with our allocation assets still intact and available for other opportunities."
The club will have yet another chance to build a stronger team at next Friday's MLS SuperDraft in Philadelphia. The Crew technical team is currently on hand at the 2006 adidas MLS Player Combine at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., scouting new talent in preparation for the draft. They own three picks in the four-round draft, including the third and ninth overall selections.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
