Columbus Crew SC today announced that it has acquired defender Amro Tarek (pronounced: AHM-roh TAHR-eck) on loan for the duration of the 2016 Major League Soccer season. Tarek, 23, joins Crew SC on loan from Real Betis in the Spanish first division after having played in the Egyptian Premier League and also with three clubs in Germany. Tarek will be added to the Black & Gold roster following receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.



"Amro is a young player, but he brings a lot of experience at the professional level," said Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. "He has displayed a good developmental path over the course of his career by virtue of playing at several quality clubs. We believe he is going to help bring depth and talent to our backline."



Prior to joining Real Betis in 2015, Tarek played for two seasons in his native Egypt for El Gouna FC, making a total of 45 appearances for the club in the Egyptian Premier League. Before he moved to Egypt, Tarek played in Germany, having began his professional career with 1. FC Magdeburg II in 2010-11. In that season, he made 22 appearances for Magdeburg's Under-19 side, scoring six goals and adding five assists.



Tarek moved to SC Freiburg the following season, where he made 15 appearances for SC Freiburg II. With the club's U-21 squad, he scored the game-winning goal in the final of the 2011 Lev Yashin Cup, an international tournament of U-21 sides. In 2012-13, Tarek played for VfL Wolfsburg II, making 20 appearances with one goal and two assists.



Internationally, the defender has made one appearance for the Egyptian U-20s. Born in Los Angeles, California, Tarek remains eligible for both Egypt and the United States at the senior roster level.



The Black & Gold continue their preseason with their first camp in Lakewood Ranch, Florida through February 5. After that camp, Crew SC trains at SuperKick from February 8-12 before departing to participate in the Desert Diamond Cup from February 15-27. The Black & Gold begin their 21st season on Sunday, March 6 at Portland and return home for the Opening Match at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday, March 12 against Philadelphia. Single-match tickets for available sections at all Black & Gold regular-season home matches in 2016 are set to go on sale to the general public on Friday, February 5 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Tickets will be available through ColumbusCrewSC.com, by calling a Crew SC ticket representative at 614-447-2739 or by visiting Ticketmaster.com.



TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew SC acquired defender Amro Tarek as a Discovery Signing on loan from Real Betis for the duration of the 2016 Major League Soccer season on February 3, 2016. He will be added to the Black & Gold roster following receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.



Name: Amro Tarek (AHM-roh TAHR-eck)

Position: Defender

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 194

Born: May 17, 1992 in Los Angeles, CA

Hometown: Asyut, Egypt

Citizenship: Egypt/United States

Acquired: Acquired by Crew SC as a Discovery Signing on loan from Real Betis for the duration of the 2016 Major League Soccer season on February 3, 2016. He will be added to the Black & Gold roster following receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.

Previous Experience: Real Betis (2015-present), El Gouna FC (2013-2015), VfL Wolfsburg II (2012-2013), SC Freiburg II (2011-2012), 1. FC Magdeburg II (2010-2011)