COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew SC today announced that the Club has signed Swedish defender Axel Sjöberg (pronounced: SHOO-berg) from the Waiver List. Sjöberg, 28, is a five-year Major League Soccer veteran who most recently played for the Colorado Rapids and has made 88 regular-season appearances (84 starts) while recording three goals and one assist. In 2016, the defender was named to the MLS Best XI and was one of three finalists for the MLS Defender of the Year Award.

“We are pleased to welcome Axel Sjoberg to Columbus Crew SC,” said Crew SC President and General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “Axel is a defender whose significant experience in MLS makes him a valuable addition to our roster. We look forward to incorporating him into the team and are excited to begin working with him.”

Sjoberg was chosen by the Colorado Rapids in the first round of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. In 2016, the defender was pivotal in helping the Rapids finish the regular season as League leaders in the following defensive categories: most shutouts (13), fewest goals conceded (32), fewest goals conceded at home (seven) and lowest goals-against average (0.94). That season, the defender helped Colorado reach the Conference Semifinals for the first time since 2010 while earning a spot on the MLS Best XI as well as being named the Colorado Rapids’ Defender of the Year.

Prior to his time in Colorado, Sjoberg played for Sollentuna United FF of Sweden’s Division 2 during the 2010 season. The defender made 20 appearances and scored three goals that year en route to helping the club finish in second place and advance to the Svenska Cupen – Sweden’s domestic cup. Notably, Sjoberg was named Sollentuna United’s Player of the Year in 2010.

At the collegiate level, Sjoberg played at Marquette University from 2011-2014, making 63 appearances (all starts) while registering 11 goals and nine assists. During his time at Marquette, the defender earned multiple honors including: Marquette University’s Most Valuable Player Award (2013, 2014), Big East Men’s Soccer Championship Most Outstanding Defensive Player (2013), as well as spots in the All-Big East First Team (2013, 2014), the All-American Second Team (2013) and the Big East Men’s Soccer Championship All-Tournament Team (2013).



TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew SC signs defender Axel Sjoberg from the Waiver List on December 4, 2019.



Name: Axel Sjoberg (pronounced: SHOO-berg)

Position: Defender

Height: 6’7”

Weight: 209

Born: March 3, 1991 in Stockholm, Sweden

Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden

Citizenship: Sweden

Acquired: Signed by Crew SC on December 4, 2019

Previous Experience: Colorado Rapids (2015-2019), Sollentuna United FF (2010)