The back line is an area of need for Columbus Crew SC this offseason after the Black & Gold did not pick up the option on left back Corey Ashe, the departure of center-back Michael Parkhurst and the news that his fellow central defender Gaston Sauro is dealing with severe knee injuries.
Crew SC announced on Friday that the club had begun to fill in those holes with the signing of Finnish outside back Jukka Raitala.
“Jukka joins Columbus Crew SC as a talented defender with significant experience across European topflight clubs and with the Finland National Team,” sporting director and head coach Gregg Berhalter said in the press release.