COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew SC today announced that it has acquired $100,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) and a natural Second Round Selection in the 2020 Major League Soccer SuperDraft via a trade with Atlanta United. In exchange, the Black & Gold traded midfielder Justin Meram to Atlanta. Additionally, in the event Atlanta United permanently transfer Meram to a professional soccer club outside of MLS, Crew SC shall retain a percentage of a future transfer fee.

“Throughout the year, we are regularly assessing our roster and looking to explore ways to strengthen our team, and this transaction allows for both salary budget space and roster slot availability in the secondary transfer window,” said Crew SC President Tim Bezbatchenko. “We want to thank Justin for his contributions to Columbus Crew SC during his time with the Club and we wish him the best moving forward.”

Since 2011, Meram has made 223 MLS regular-season appearances (159 starts). He made 206 of those appearances (145 starts) with the Black & Gold, becoming one of only five players in Club history to register at least 30 goals and 30 assists for Crew SC. Selected by Columbus with the fifth overall pick in the First Round of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft on January 13, 2011, Meram has recorded 39 goals and 37 assists in regular-season action, including 14 game-winning goals and eight game-winning assists while with the Crew.



At the international level, Meram has earned 31 caps with the Iraq National Team, making his debut in the 2014 Gulf Cup of Nations’ opening match against Kuwait on November 14. The midfielder scored his first goal with the Lions of Mesopotamia during a 5-1 home victory over Chinese Taipei in a 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier on September 3, 2015, converting a penalty kick in the first minute of second half stoppage time.



Crew SC continues a stretch of three matches in eight days, hosting two Western Conference opponents at MAPFRE Stadium this week. Crew SC’s two-match homestand begins against the LA Galaxy tomorrow, Wednesday, May 8 [7:30 p.m. ET / FOX Sports Ohio, FOX Sports GO (Stream) / 97.1 The Fan & TheFan.com (English);ColumbusCrewSC.com (Spanish)].



TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew SC acquired $100,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) and a natural Second Round Selection in the 2020 Major League Soccer SuperDraft via a trade with Atlanta United. In exchange, the Black & Gold traded midfielder Justin Meram to Atlanta. Additionally, in the event Atlanta United permanently transfer Meram to a professional soccer club outside of MLS, Crew SC shall retain a percentage of a future transfer fee. The transaction was announced on May 7, 2019.