COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew SC announced today that the club have acquired the Romanian midfielder Alexandru Matan (pronounced: ah-LEK-san-DREW mah-TON) of FC Viitorul Constanta of the Romanian First Division.

Matan, 21, made 56 appearances in Romania’s Liga 1 and helped Viitorul Constanta win the 2018-2019 Cupa Romaniei – Romania’s national cup. Matan will be officially added to the Black & Gold roster pending receipt of his international transfer certificate and P-1 visa and will occupy a place on the team’s international roster.

“Alex is a promising young player whose technical abilities, dribbling skills and ability to play both sides of the ball make him a good fit for our style of play,” said Crew SC President and CEO. Tim Bezbatchenko. “As a creative player capable of playing wide or central, he gives us another dynamic attacking option that will be essential with a busy schedule in the Champions League and MLS in the coming months. ‘welcome and look forward to integrating him into our group.

A product of the Gheorghe Hagi Academy, Matan played for the Romanian top-flight team of FC Viitorul Constanta from 2016 to 2021. In total, he played 66 matches (45 starts) while registering five goals and 12 assists all competitions combined, in particular by taking part in six qualifying stages of the UEFA Europa League. Notably, the midfielder made three appearances in the 2018-2019 Cupa Romaniei, scoring one goal and providing two assists en route to help Viitorul Constanta win the 2018-2019 edition of the tournament.

The 21-year-old spent the 2019-20 season on loan with FC Voluntari – also from Romania’s Premier League – where he made 26 appearances (21 starts) while scoring one goal and securing two assists in all of them. competitions.

Matan has also represented Romania at the international level at the youth level. The midfielder has totaled 17 caps and scored 10 goals for Romania at the Under-17, Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 levels.

The Black & Golds are currently in Chula Vista, Calif. For the 2021 preseason before heading to Orlando, Fla. On March 21. After training camp in Orlando, the team open the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League on the road on April 8 against the Nicaraguan team. Real Esteli FC in the first leg of the round of 16, before hosting Real Esteli at home for the second leg on April 15. The Black & Gold are expected to kick off the 2021 MLS regular season in April with the League campaign starting in April. 17.

TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew SC acquires midfielder Alexandru Matan FC Viitorul Constanta on March 8, 2021. Matan will be officially added to the Black & Gold list pending receipt of his international transfer certificate and P-1 visa and will occupy an international location on the team list. .

name: Alexandru Matan (ah-LEK-san-DREW mah-TON)
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’5 ”
Weight: 135
Born: August 29, 1999 in Galati, Romania
Hometown: Galati, Romania
Citizenship: Romania
Acquired: Acquired by the Crew SC of the Romanian club FC Viitorul Constanta on March 8, 2021
Previous experience: FC Viitorul Constanta (2021-2016), FC Voluntari (2019-2020)