One of the brightest prospects in the U.S. soccer pool has returned stateside with a move to MLS.
The Columbus Crew announced on Friday that the club has signed U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team goalkeeper Zack Steffen. The 21-year-old goalkeeper joins as a Discovery Signing after spending the last year-and-a-half with German club SC Freiburg.
“Zack is a talented goalkeeper with great potential and someone who has performed on the biggest stages for the United States youth National Teams,” said head coach Gregg Berhalter. “We believe he has a bright future and we look forward to working with him.”
Steffen rose to prominence at the University of Maryland before opting to sign with Freiburg after the 2014 college season. Confined mostly to the reserve team during his stay in Germany, Steffen made 14 appearances in his first season with SC Freiburg II, registering three shutouts.
Internationally, Steffen has featured prominently throughout the U.S. national teams. The goalkeeper played every minute for the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Steffen was also set to join the U.S. Under-23s for March’s Olympic Qualifying clash with Colombia, but was forced off the roster due to injury.
What do you think of the move? How will Steffen fare with the Crew?
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