Columbus Crew SC signs academy midfielder Isaiah Parente to Homegrown contract

Ari Liljenwall

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing

Columbus Crew SC have already added a pair of proven veterans as they load up for their MLS Cup title defense, and they've now added some youth to their ranks, signing academy midfielder Isaiah Parente to a Homegrown contract per a Monday release.

Parente joins the Crew after playing his college soccer at Wake Forest, where he made 50 appearances from 2018-2020. The 20-year-old scored three goals for the Demon Deacons, but really shined as a facilitator, dishing out 19 assists.

The move comes on the heels of the established MLS commodities the Crew have acquired this offseason in Bradley Wright-Phillips and Kevin Molino.

“We are thrilled that Isaiah has earned a first-team opportunity and are pleased to have Isaiah return home to Ohio,” Crew GM Tim Bezbatchenko said in Monday's release. “Isaiah’s time at Wake Forest was very successful and we’re thrilled to have yet another Crew SC academy player join the Crew SC first team. I want to commend the work of Isaiah as well as his Crew SC academy coaches and staff during his four years in the academy as this is an important milestone for him.

"Over the last several years, our academy has continued to provide a pathway to the professional ranks as we cultivate top youth talent in the state and the region. We look forward to working with Isaiah and see him continue his development.”

Parente played for the Crew academy from 2015-2018, featuring at the U-15/16, U-17/18 and U-18/19 levels, making 68 appearances and scoring 16 goals. He also participated in the inaugural U.S. Soccer Men’s Youth National Team Summit Camp with the U-19 National Team in January of 2018.

The Crew now have five Homegrown players on their first-team roster, as Parente joins Aidan Morris, Sebastian Berhalter, Aboubacar Keita and Matt Lampson.

2021 Columbus Crew SC Roster as of January 11, 2021:

HEAD COACH: Caleb Porter

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