Transfer Tracker

Columbus Crew SC sign veteran midfielder Ricardo Clark via free agency

Ricardo Clark - Dynamo vs. Cruz Azul - Dynamo Charities Cup 2017

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Signing


Longtime MLS veteran midfielder Ricardo Clark has signed with Columbus Crew SC, the club announced Friday.


Clark, 34, had been with the Houston Dynamo since the summer of 2012. He was out of contract following the 2017 season and signed with Columbus via MLS free agency.


He relocated to Houston with the old San Jose Earthquakes in 2006, winning two MLS Cups with the Dynamo before leaving to sign with German club Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer of 2009.


The former United States international has played in 337 regular season matches in his MLS career, starting 317 times. He recorded two assists in 28 regular season contests with the Dynamo in 2017, helping the club return to the playoffs after a three-year hiatus.


“We are excited Ricardo chose to join our club as a free agent signing this winter,” Crew SC sporting director and head coach Gregg Berhalter said in a statement. “Ricardo brings over a decade of MLS and national team experience to our club, which was one of the youngest in the league last season. He is a consistent winner in MLS and adds important depth in our central midfield as we look to return to the MLS Cup Playoffs in the upcoming season.”


Clark has 33 career caps with the US men’s national team, playing for the country at the 2010 World Cup, 2009 Confederations Cup and 2007 Gold cup and Copa America. He’ll join likely starters Wil Trapp and Artur as options for Columbus at central midfield.


Crew SC are currently training in Casa Grande, Arizona. The club will head to Hawaii on Feb. 6 to participate in the Pacific Rim Cup.