Na Columbus Crew don announce say dem sign free-agent defender Eric Bailly, one player wey get over decade experience for English Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, and Trendyol Super Lig for Turkey.
Bailly, wey most recently play for Real Oviedo, also wear Manchester United jersey for 2016/17 season. Di Ivorian defender go join Crew as soon as im P-1 visa and international transfer certificate come through.
Di contract dey guaranteed through June 2027, plus Club options for 2027/28 and 2028/29. E go occupy one International Roster Slot for di Black & Gold.
“We dey excited to welcome Eric to Columbus. Im experience for di highest levels of di game, plus im defensive quality, leadership, and composure, go strengthen our backline and impact our roster. Eric bring winning mentality and valuable experience wey go benefit our group both on and off di field. We look forward to integrate am into di team as we continue pushing toward our goals for di second half of di season,” Crew General Manager Issa Tall tok.
Di Ivorian native don make over 200 appearances, score three goals and get two assists across im playing career, plus over 19,000 minutes. E don win Africa Cup with Ivory Coast national team, Europa League title for 2016/17, English League Cup, and FA Community Shield with Manchester United. E also get Champions League experience.
Bailly also play for 2020/21 Olympics with Ivory Coast national team, score one goal. E start for RCD Espanyol youth club before joining senior team for di latter half of 2014/15 season. Den e join Villarreal for one and half year before sign with United for 38 million Euros.
For im time for Manchester, Bailly appear 113 times, score one goal and get one assist. E also make 11 appearances during United’s Europa League-winning campaign and one appearance during dem EFL Cup run. E play full 90 minutes for United’s 2-1 win over Leicester City for di FA Community Shield.
With Real Oviedo, Bailly appear 16 times and score one goal. E also feature five times for Beşiktaş for 2023 after loan spell at Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille, where e play 23 times across all competitions.
