COLUMBUS — The Columbus Crew has agreed to terms with Argentine midfielder Matias Sanchez as a Discovery Signing, the club announced Friday. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, details of the contract were not disclosed. Sanchez is currently in preseason camp with the Black & Gold, and will be officially added to the club’s roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.



“Matias is a technically gifted player with valuable international experience at the highest levels of the game,” said Crew Technical Director Brian Bliss. “Our roster has been coming together in recent weeks, and Matias is another young and talented player that gives us versatility in midfield.”



The 25-year-old Sanchez joins the Crew on the heels of a storied career in the Argentine Primera Division with Estudiantes, where he played in 94 matches in all competitions from 2008-2012. The central midfielder helped the La Plata side to the 2010-11 Argentine Apertura and the prestigious 2009 Copa Libertadores crown – awarded to the top club in South American football. As a result, Sanchez and Estudiantes clinched a place in the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, where they finished runner-up to FC Barcelona. Sanchez joined Estudiantes in 2008 after making 44 appearances from 2006-08 with Racing Club, where he spent his youth career.



On the international stage, Sanchez made 14 appearances for Argentina’s U-20 National Team, helping the side win the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada.



Name: Matías Sánchez

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5’8”

Weight: 160

Born: August 18, 1987 in Temperley, Argentina

Hometown: Lomas de Zamora, Argentina

Citizenship: Argentina

Acquired: Discovery Signing on February 8, 2013

Professional Experience: Estudiantes (2008-12), Racing Club (2006-08)