The Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed Chilean defender Sebastián Miranda, who will be officially added to the roster upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and work visa. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed.



The 5-8, 154-pound defender joins the Crew from Unión Española of the Chilean first division where he spent the bulk of his career after stints at SV Red Bull Salzburg of the Austrian First Division and Universidad Católica of Chile.



“We are very pleased to welcome Sebastián to our team,” said Crew head coach Robert Warzycha. “He is quick to defend in 1v1 situations, tactically sound and brings a lot of experience to our back line.”



The 30-year-old native of Santiago, Chile, began his professional career at Union Espanola, making his first-team debut in 2001 when he started 19 matches. After helping the team reach the final of the 2005 Apertura campaign, which it went on to win, Miranda moved to Austria where he spent part of the 2005-06 season with SV Red Bull Salzburg.



Upon his return to Chile in 2006, he split his time between Unión and Universidad Católica where he remained until the 2008 season. In 2008 he returned to Unión Española, where he was made captain upon the retirement of former player and current coach Jose’ Luis Sierra.



“I am very happy to get to the U.S., in particular to the Columbus Crew,” Miranda said. “It’s a new challenge in my career, for which I will put all my effort to get the best for Columbus.”



Sebastián Miranda

Position: Defender

Height: 5-8

Weight: 154

Born: June, 26 1980 (Santiago, Chile)

Hometown: Santiago, Chile

Citizenship: Chilean

2009 Team: Unión Española (Chilean First Division)

How Acquired: Signed on Dec. 30, 2010

Professional Experience: Unión Española, Chile (2001-05), SV Red Bull Salzburg, Austria (2005), Unión Española, Chile (on loan 2006), Universidad Católica, Chile (2006-07), Unión Española, Chile (2008-2010)







TRANSACTION:



Columbus Crew (MLS) – Signed D Sebastián Miranda.