Crew acquires rights to defender Michael Parkhurst from New England Revolution

COLUMBUS – The Columbus Crew today announced that it has acquired the rights to defender and United States international Michael Parkhurst in a trade with the New England Revolution. In exchange, the Crew sends its First Round selection (fourth overall) in this week’s 2014 SuperDraft to New England in addition to allocation money. Per club and MLS policy, additional details of the deal were not disclosed. Parkhurst has agreed to terms with the Crew and will be added to the club’s roster immediately pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).




“We are excited to be adding a top quality player like Michael to our club,” said Crew Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. “He is an elite player that will have an immediate impact both on and off the field. Michael’s success in Major League Soccer, combined with his proven experience in Europe and with the U.S. Men’s National Team make him a valuable piece for our team.” 



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The 29-year-old returns to Major League Soccer for a second stint after playing his first four professional seasons (2005-2008) in New England. During his time in Foxborough, Mass., the defender recorded 115 appearances – all starts – and logged 10,297 minutes of regular-season action. The Providence, Rhode Island native later played five seasons with Danish Superliga side F.C. Nordsjælland (2008-2013). Most recently, Parkhurst was with German Bundesliga club Augsburg, where he made three appearances during the 2012-2013 season after joining the team in December of 2012.




Drafted by the Revs in the first round (ninth overall) in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft, Parkhurst played every single minute of his first season as a professional and earned MLS Rookie of the Year honors en route to the first of three consecutive MLS Cup Final appearances with New England. Following the 2006 season – in which he was named MLS Humanitarian of the Year – the defender was a part of the club’s first-ever title in 2007 when the Revs secured the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. That season, Parkhurst was also named MLS Defender of the Year and a member of MLS Best XI. 2007 also marked the first of two consecutive seasons in which he earned the MLS Fair Play Award, as the defender was not issued a red card in four seasons of action. With Parkhurst, the Revs won the 2008 Superliga title the following season in his final campaign in New England.

In 2008, Parkhurst signed with Danish Superliga side F.C. Nordsjælland. After securing the Danish Cup – the country’s 104-team tournament – twice in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, Parkhurst won his first League title as Nordsjælland was crowned Superliga champs for the 2011-2012 campaign. Over the course of five seasons, Parkhurst recorded 107 appearances in regular-season action in Denmark’s topflight division. Parkhurst also experienced European competition, making 10 appearances in UEFA Champions League play from 2010-2012.




The former Wake Forest Demon Deacon has represented the United States internationally on the senior roster since 2007 and has earned 23 caps with the Stars and Stripes. His National Team debut came in a CONCACAF Gold Cup match against Trinidad & Tobago on June 9, 2007. Parkhurst was a member of the squad that took home the 2007 and 2013 Gold Cup titles as well as the side that finished runner-up in the 2009 tournament. He also laced-up for the U.S. Olympic Team in the group stage during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.




With the trade, the Crew enters the week ahead of the Thursday’s 2014 MLS SuperDraft with the fourth selection of the Second Round (23
^rd
 overall) and the fourth pick in the Third Round (42
^nd
 overall).




TRANSACTIONS:
 Crew acquires rights to defender Michael Parkhurst from the New England Revolution in exchange for the Crew’s First Round selection (fourth overall) in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft and allocation money. Parkhurst agrees to terms with the Crew and will be added to the club’s roster immediately pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).