Columbus Crew make first free agent move of the offseason, signs GK Nicholas Hagen
The Crew have signed 27-year-old goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen to a one-year contract with club options for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, the team announced on Thursday. This is the club's first free agent signing of the offseason.
Hagen comes to Columbus from the Israeli Premier League, where he appeared in four matches after signing with Bnei Sakhnin FC in November. A Guatemala-native, Hagen has experience on that country's national team, recording 34 caps for Los Chapines.
"Nicholas has solid experience from his time abroad and with the Guatemalan National Team that provides additional depth to our already strong group of goalkeepers,” said Crew president and general manager Tim Bezbatchenko in a statement. “We have a significantly higher number of games next year across multiple competitions, and it’s important that we continue to add depth and competition to our roster.”
More on the Crew Roster: A Q&A with Crew GM Tim Bezbatchenko: 'I've had more fun this year than I've had in years.'
Though this was not known at first, Hagen will not occupy an international roster slot, as he has an US passport. His addition to the club means he will join Patrick Schulte and Evan Bush in the Crew's current goalkeeper group.
Get more on the Crew down at the Speakeasy
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew sign free agent Nicholas Hagen to one-year deal
