Jonathan Mensah Joins Columbus Crew as Designated Player
Columbus Crew SC announced the signing of defender Jonathan Mensah as a Designated Player via a Discovery Signing. The Ghanaian international joins Columbus from Anzhi Makhachkala of the Russian Football Premier League for the upcoming 2017 MLS Season.
MLS Soccer News: Columbus Crew SC announced on Tuesday that the club has acquired Ghanaian international defender Jonathan Mensah (pronounced: Men-SAH), who joins Crew SC as a Designated Player via a Discovery Signing.
“We are pleased to announce the signing of central defender Jonathan Mensah as a Designated Player,” said Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. “Jonathan is a physically dominant central defender who at a young age has already proven himself on the world’s biggest stage. We look forward to him making an immediate impact in Columbus.”
Mensah is a two-time FIFA World Cup veteran who has recorded 51 caps for the Ghana National Team. The 26-year-old most recently competed for Anzhi Makhachkala in the Russian Football Premier League. Mensah joins Federico Higuain as Crew SC’s second Designated Player on its roster. He will officially be added to the Black & Gold roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa, also occupying an international roster spot.
Mensah joins the Black & Gold with prior experience that includes playing for FC Evian in Ligue 1 of France, Granada CF in Spain’s Second Division – helping the club return to the First Division – and Free State Stars in the First Division of Ghana. He has made a total of 127 appearances (111 starts) at the club level, including appearances in the Russian Cup, the Coupe de France, France’s Coupe de la Ligue, and MTN8 – Ghana’s Domestic Cup. During his time at Anzhi Mackhachkala in Russia, Mensah made 19 appearances (16 starts) for the club.
In 2014, Mensah started in every group stage game of Ghana’s World Cup campaign. Mensah also featured for Ghana in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, making two starting appearances in the group stage and starting in a Round of 16 match against the United States, helping the Black Stars advance to the quarterfinals. Mensah also played a vital role in Ghana’s run to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations Final.
“One of our offseason priorities was to sign a second Designated Player that has the ability to make an impact both on and off the field,” continued Berhalter. “With Jonathan’s vast playing experience and strong character we believe he will fit into our club nicely. We are pleased that Jonathan chose Columbus as a place to continue his development. I want to thank Mr. Precourt for his support in making the transaction possible as we build a strong club for 2017 and beyond.”
Photo Credit: Columbus Crew SC
