COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew SC today announced that the club has signed midfielder Youness Mokhtar (pronounced: YOU-ness MOCK-tar). The midfielder most recently played for Stabaek of the Norwegian First Division and has made 170 First Division appearances across the Netherlands, Norway, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, while scoring 28 goals and providing 31 assists. Mokhtar will officially be added to the Black & Gold roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa and will occupy an international roster slot. Targeted Allocation Money was used in this transaction.

“We would like to welcome Youness Mokhtar to Columbus Crew SC. Youness is a creative and dynamic player who can add variety to our attack,” said Crew SC President and General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “As a veteran, he brings years of proven European experience to our Club. We believe that his specific skill set will allow him to thrive in MLS.”

A veteran of the game, Mokhtar has played for several clubs, including: Dutch Eredivisie sides PEC Zwolle, FC Twente and PSV Eindhoven; Stabaek of the Norwegian Eliteserien; MKE Ankaragucu of Turkey’s Super Lig; and Al-Nassr FC of Saudi Arabia’s Pro League. In addition to his experience playing in 170 First Division matches across Europe and the Middle East, Mokhtar has also played in the KNVB Cup, the Turkiye Kupasi and the Saudi Crown Prince Cup, making a combined 24 appearances while scoring eight goals and providing two assists. At the European level, the midfielder has also seen action in UEFA Europa League Qualifiers.

A product of the PSV Eindhoven Academy, Mokhtar was born in the Netherlands to Moroccan parents. At the youth level, he has featured for the Netherlands Under-17 and U-18 squads, as well as the Morocco U-20 and U-21 sides.

Up next for the Black & Gold is a home match against the Montreal Impact at MAPFRE Stadium tomorrow, Saturday, July 20 [7:30 p.m. ET / Fox Sports Ohio, FOX Sports GO (Stream) / 97.1 The Fan & 971TheFan.com (English); ColumbusCrewSC.com (Spanish)].

TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew SC signs free agent midfielder Youness Mokhtar on July 19, 2019. He will officially be added to the Black & Gold roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa and will occupy an international roster slot. Targeted Allocation Money was used in this transaction.

Name: Youness Mokhtar (YOU-ness MOCK-tar)

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 165

Born: August 29, 1991 in Utrecht, Netherlands

Hometown: Utrecht, Netherlands

Citizenship: Morocco

Acquired: Signed by Crew SC on July 19, 2019

Previous Experience: Stabaek (2019), MKE Ankaragucu (2018-2019), PEC Zwolle (2016-2018), Al-Nassr FC (2015-2016), FC Twente (2013-2015), PEC Zwolle (2012-2013), PSV Eindhoven (2011-2012)