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Columbus Crew sign midfielder Eddie Gaven to multi-year contract extension
The Columbus Crew have signed 25-year-old midfielder Eddie Gaven to a multi-year contract extension, the team announced today.
Nov 14, 2011 2:41:00 PM
By Nick Rosano
George Frey
The Columbus Crew announced today that they have signed midfielder Eddie Gaven to a multi-year contract extension. The 25-year-old has already played nine MLS season, including six with the Crew, and has extended his stay in Columbus.
Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed.
"I love it here in Columbus, so this means a lot to me," Gaven said. "I love the team and our fans. The past six years have been great, and hopefully we can make my next few years just as great and bring the team back to the MLS Cup final."
Gaven, a New Jersey native, started his MLS career with the New York MetroStars after being drafted in the second round (No. 12 overall) in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft. At 16 years of age, he became the youngest player in MLS at the time and set a team record for youngest goalscorer, at 16 years and 253 days.
Gaven and defender Chris Leitch were traded to the Crew on March 28, 2006 in exchange for forward Edson Buddle. Since joining Columbus six season ago, Gaven has appeared in 165 matches, tallying 26 goals and 19 assists.
He was named the club's Most Valuable Player in 2010 and also played a key role in helping the Crew to victory in the 2008 MLS Cup and MLS Supporters' Shields in 2008 and 2009.
In 2011, Gaven's season was hampered by injury, but he still managed five goals and an assist in 26 appearances, helping the Crew to a playoff berth.
Gaven has represented the United States eight times at the senior level and has also featured for various youth national teams.
Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed.
"I love it here in Columbus, so this means a lot to me," Gaven said. "I love the team and our fans. The past six years have been great, and hopefully we can make my next few years just as great and bring the team back to the MLS Cup final."
Gaven, a New Jersey native, started his MLS career with the New York MetroStars after being drafted in the second round (No. 12 overall) in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft. At 16 years of age, he became the youngest player in MLS at the time and set a team record for youngest goalscorer, at 16 years and 253 days.
Gaven and defender Chris Leitch were traded to the Crew on March 28, 2006 in exchange for forward Edson Buddle. Since joining Columbus six season ago, Gaven has appeared in 165 matches, tallying 26 goals and 19 assists.
He was named the club's Most Valuable Player in 2010 and also played a key role in helping the Crew to victory in the 2008 MLS Cup and MLS Supporters' Shields in 2008 and 2009.
In 2011, Gaven's season was hampered by injury, but he still managed five goals and an assist in 26 appearances, helping the Crew to a playoff berth.
Gaven has represented the United States eight times at the senior level and has also featured for various youth national teams.
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