COLUMBUS — Columbus Crew SC today announced that the club has acquired Venezuelan midfielder Eduardo Sosa, who joins Crew SC as a Discovery Signing.

Sosa previously played for Zamora FC of Venezuela’s topflight and brings five years of experience which includes winning three domestic titles and playing in Copa Libertadores. The midfielder 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 on Crew SC’s roster.

The 21-year-old is a product of Zamora FC’s youth academy and made his debut for the Venezuelan club on November 10, 2013 as a substitute in a road match against Trujillanos FC at the age of 17. Since his debut, Sosa has made 59 appearances (38 starts) for Zamora FC, scoring eight goals and providing six assists. The midfielder also has experience in Copa Libertadores – South America’s continental tournament – where he has made five appearances (four starts) while registering one goal, as well as in Copa Venezuela – Venezuela’s domestic cup – where he has made seven appearances (three starts) and tallied one goal.

“Eduardo is a player who at an early age has already proven he can compete at a high level,” said Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. “Zamora FC is known for developing players and the club has been great to work with. We believe Eduardo has high potential and will fit well into our playing style. We look forward to working with him.”

During his time with Zamora FC, Sosa helped the club win three titles, winning the Primera Division – Venezuela’s First Division – in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Last season, the attacking midfielder was instrumental in leading Zamora FC to the Copa Venezuela final, making seven appearances (three starts) and scoring one goal. Sosa recorded career-high numbers in 2017, making 45 appearances (33 starts) while registering eight goals and six assists in all competitions.

Under Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter, the 2018 MLS Preseason begins on Wednesday, January 24, at SuperKick in Lewis Center, Ohio after entrance physicals and testing. From there, the club departs to Casa Grande, Arizona for its preseason camp on Friday, January 26. Crew SC is slated to remain in Arizona through February 6 before traveling to Honolulu, Hawaii to participate in the inaugural Pacific Rim Cup from February 6-11. Following the conclusion of the Pacific Rim Cup, the club travels to Charleston, South Carolina to participate in the 2018 Carolina Challenge Cup.

Sosa is a product of the Zamora FC youth academy and made his professional debut for Zamora FC on November 10, 2013 against Trujillanos FC at the age of 17.

He last played for Zamora FC where he won the Primera Division – Venezuela’s First Division – on three occasions: 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Sosa recorded personal career-highs in 2017, as the midfielder registered eight goals and six assists across all competitions for Zamora FC.

He has played in Copa Libertadores – South America’s continental tournament – where he has made five appearances (four starts) while registering one goal.

Growing up, Sosa looked up to Boca Juniors Argentine midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme.

The Major League Soccer regular season will kick off just days after the conclusion of the CCC and Crew SC's preseason, with Crew SC opening their season on the road at Toronto FC on March 3. Following that 2017 Eastern Conference Championship rematch, Crew SC returns to MAPFRE Stadium to host the Montreal Impact on March 10.

With the addition of Sosa, Crew SC's current 2018 roster now stands at 21 players:

*Listed Alphabetically

Goalkeepers (2): Jon Kempin, Zack Steffen

Defenders (6): Lalas Abubakar, Harrison Afful, Alex Crognale, Connor Maloney, Jonathan Mensah, Josh Williams

Midfielders (11): Mohammed Abu, Artur, Niko Hansen, Federico Higuain, Mike Grella, Hector Jimenez, Cristian Martinez, Justin Meram, Pedro Santos, Eduardo Sosa, Wil Trapp

Forwards (2): Adam Jahn, Ola Kamara

TRANSACTION

Columbus Crew SC acquires midfielder Eduardo Sosa via a Discovery Signing from Zamora FC on January 9, 2018. He will occupy an international roster slot on Crew SC’s roster.

Name: Eduardo Sosa (ed-WAHR-do So-SAH)

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5’7”

Weight: 165

Born: June 20, 1996 in Barinas, Barinas, Venezuela

Hometown: Barinas, Barinas, Venezuela

Citizenship: Venezuela

Acquired: Acquired by Crew SC from Zamora FC as a Discovery Signing on January 9, 2018.

Previous Experience: Zamora FC (2013-2017)