Columbus Crew announces end-of-season roster decisions

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Columbus Crew announced on Wednesday roster decision following its 2021 MLS season.

The Crew exercised contract options for nine players, while nine other players were already under contract for 2022. The current roster currently sits at 18 players.

Columbus exercised options for defenders Aboubacar Keita, Steven Moreira and Josh Williams; midfielders Luis Diaz, Derrick Etienne Jr., Marlon Hairston and Isaiah Parente; and forwards Miguel Berry and Gyasi Zardes.

Goalkeeper Eloy Room, defender Milton Valenzuela, and midfielder Pedro Santos all have expiring 2021 contracts with the club extending offers to the trio to remain in Columbus ahead of 2022.

Defender Jonathan Mensah, along with midfielders Artur, Sebastian Berhalter, Perry Kitchen, Alex Matan, Kevin Molino, Aidan Morris, Darlington Nagbe, and Lucas Zelarayan were already under contract for the 2022 season.

The Crew said it is currently in discussions with select players about returning in 2022.

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Goalkeeper Evan Bush, and defenders Harrison Afful and Grant Lillard are out of contract.

The Crew declined the contract options of goalkeeper Eric Dick; defenders Waylon Francis, Saad Abdul-Salaam and Vito Wormgoor; and forwards Erik Hurtado and Bradley Wright-Phillips. Midfielder Liam Fraser has returned to Toronto FC following his season-long loan with the Crew.

The MLS Half-Day Trade Window opens on Sunday, December 12 at 9 a.m. and closes later that day at 1 p.m.

The Crew is set to open the 2022 season at Lower.com Field on Saturday, Feb. 26, against the Vancouver Whitecaps.