The Columbus Crew announced today that it has re-signed French midfielder Léandre Griffit. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed.
The 5-8, 155-pound Griffit, who received call-ups at several levels of the French National Team youth program, originally signed with the Crew on May 14, 2010. He made his MLS debut on July 24 against the Houston Dynamo and scored an unassisted, 91st-minute goal. Griffit appeared in two more regular season games and was a key contributor in the Crew’s qualification to the CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal round. He appeared in five CCL matches, starting four, and scored the game-winner on Sept. 14 against Joe Public. He also appeared in one U.S. Open Cup match as a substitute.
The French midfielder joined the Crew after playing with Union Royale Sportive du Centre of the Belgian Third Division in 2009, where he tallied seven goals and four assists, including one tally in cup play.
A native of Maubeuge, France, Griffit began his career in the youth system of French club Racing Club de Lens from 1998-2001, before joining French second division side Amiens S.C. in 2002. After impressive performances for Amiens, Griffit caught the attention of English Premier League club Southampton FC, where he signed in 2003. Griffit made eight appearances for Southampton in his two seasons with the club, but a coaching change limited his first team appearances, as he was then loaned to several lower division English clubs, including Leeds United (2004) and Rotherham United FC (2005).
Griffit then departed English soccer in 2006 to sign with IF Elsborg of the Swedish First Division, where he became a full-time starter in his first season and helped the club to the 2006 Swedish Allsvenskan Championship (league title), while also participating in rounds one and two of UEFA Champions League qualification. Griffit was then loaned to Swedish second division side IFK Norrköping, who he helped to the 2007 Swedish Superettan Championship (second division league title) and promotion to the Swedish first division.
Griffit returned to England to sign with Crystal Place of the Coca Cola Championship (English second division) in 2008, where he played in six games, including one FA Cup match, before joining Union Royale Sportive du Centre for the 2009 season.
#13 - Léandre Griffit
Pronunciation: lay-ONN-druh grih-FEE
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 155
Born: May 21, 1984 (Maubeuge, France)
Hometown: Elesmes, France
Citizenship: France
2010 Team: Columbus Crew
How Acquired: Signed on May 14, 2010 (Re-signed on Jan. 19, 2011)
Professional Experience: Union Royale Sportive du Centre, Belgian Third Division (2009-10); Crystal Palace, English Second Division (2008-09); IFK Norrköping, Swedish Second Division (loan: 2007-08); IF Elsborg, Swedish First Divison (2006-08); Rotterham United FC, English Second Division (loan: 2004-05); Coca Cola Championship (loan: 2004-05); Southampton FC, English First Divison (2003-05);
TRANSACTION:
Columbus Crew (MLS) – Signed M Léandre Griffit.
