Middlesbrough have signed left-back, Max Arfsten from Columbus Crew for an undisclosed transfer fee.
Arfsten’s move comes after he registered 17 goals and 17 assists in 114 appearances for Columbus Crew in all competitions across the last three years, and helped Crew win the MLS Cup in his first season in 2023 then the Leagues Cup a year later in 2024.
Upon signing for Boro, the 25-year-old said that he is keen to make Boro supporters “proud” to have him at the club as he joins former Crew players, Aidan Morris and Sebastian Berhalter on Teesside, and Arfsten was in the USA squad for this summer’s FIFA World Cup alongside Berhalter.
“I’m very excited to be here and want to do everything I can to make this fanbase proud.
“When I heard about the ambitions of the club, how they are as people and the direction the club is going in, it intrigued me.
“I’ve been wanting to come here for some time and now I just can’t wait to train with the team and hit the ground running.”
Arfsten added that Morris had briefed him on Boro’s style, culture and fans and believes that both Morris and Berhalter’s presence will help him settle quickly, with Berhalter also having signed for Boro this summer.
“Aidan especially has been telling me about the style of play, the culture of the club and the fanbase here.
“Having both Aidan and Seb here will make the transition easier, because it’s always a big deal signing for a new club.
“I’m just excited to have a new challenge and I’m looking forward to getting going.”
Arfsten began his career at UC Davis Aggies between 2019-21, before he went on to join San Jose Earthquakes II where he netted nine goals in 24 appearances in 2022 which led him to move to Crew, and he left a farewell message to Crew fans on the club’s website thanking them for their support.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I truly believe this is an extremely special place, it’s hard to put into words just how much this Club means to me,” commented Arfsten on what it meant to represent the club.
“If there’s anything I want people to know, it’s that I have a lot of respect and gratitude for the Columbus Crew, the City of Columbus and the fans. All you can really ask for is an opportunity and that was definitely given to me in Columbus.
“From the front office, the owners, the coaching staff, my teammates and everyone at the Club, they really put a lot of time and effort into me these past four years in terms of my development. I can confidently say that no matter what, I’ll always consider myself a member of the Crew.”
Arfsten represents USA at international level with one goal in 21 senior caps since his debut in January 2025 against Venezuela.
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