COLUMBUS — Columbus Crew SC today announced that it has traded defender Michael Parkhurst to Major League Soccer expansion side Atlanta United. In exchange for Parkhurst, 32, the Black & Gold received General Allocation Money. The agreement took place during today’s Major League Soccer Half-Day Trade Window (9 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET).

“We want to thank Michael for his contributions on and off the field over the last three seasons with Crew SC,” said Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. “Michael served admirably as the club’s captain and his efforts as a part of the 2015 Eastern Conference Championship team will always have a place in Black & Gold history.”

Parkhurst joined Crew SC ahead of the 2014 season and captained the club for three seasons. The defender made 100 appearances (99 starts) during his tenure in Columbus, starting all but four games over three campaigns. Parkhurst also captained the club during back-to-back postseason runs in 2014 and 2015, including the club’s 2015 Eastern Conference Championship victory and also wore the armband in the 2015 MLS Cup.

Now entering his eighth season in Major League Soccer, Parkhurst began his MLS tenure playing his first four professional seasons (2005-2008) with the New England Revolution. During his time in Foxborough, Mass., the defender recorded 115 starts in regular-season action. The Providence, Rhode Island native later played for Danish Superliga side F.C. Nordsjælland (2008-2012) and then for German Bundesliga club Augsburg, where he made three appearances during the 2012-2013 season after joining the team in December of 2012. Drafted by the Revs in the First Round (ninth overall) in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft, Parkhurst earned MLS Rookie of the Year honors en route to the first of three consecutive MLS Cup Final appearances with New England.

Major League Soccer’s offseason schedule continues with the Expansion Draft held on Tuesday, December 13. Later on the 13th, MLS Free Agency begins at 5 p.m. ET. The MLS Waiver Draft is scheduled for Thursday, December 15 at 2 p.m. ET and the MLS Re-Entry Process begins with Stage One on Friday, December 16 at 3 p.m. ET. Stage Two of the Re-Entry Draft takes place on Thursday, December 22 at 3 p.m. ET.

TRANSACTION

Columbus Crew SC trades defender Michael Parkhurst to Atlanta United in exchange for General Allocation Money during the MLS Half-Day Trade Window on December 11, 2016