Middlesbrough FC has signed left-sider Max Arfsten from Columbus Crew on a four-year deal. The 25-year-old becomes the third United States international in Kim Hellberg's squad.
Arfsten represented the USA at the recent World Cup on home soil and has made more than 20 appearances for the USMNT. He won the MLS Cup with Columbus in 2023 and the Leagues Cup in 2024, and has twice appeared in the MLS All-Star Game.
American contingent grows on Teesside
Arfsten joins fellow USA internationals Aidan Morris and Sebastian Berhalter at Middlesbrough. Both Morris and Berhalter are Columbus Crew alumni. Morris will begin his third season as a Boro player, while Berhalter was part of the USA squad which reached the last 16 of the World Cup.
Speaking about his move, Arfsten said: "I'm very excited to be here and want to do everything I can to make this fanbase proud. When I heard about the ambitions of the club, how they are as people and the direction the club is going in, it intrigued me. I've been wanting to come here for some time and now I just can't wait to train with the team and hit the ground running."
Arfsten added that Morris has been key in easing his transition. "Aidan especially has been telling me about the style of play, the culture of the club and the fanbase here. Having both Aidan and Seb here will make the transition easier, because it's always a big deal signing for a new club. I'm just excited to have a new challenge and I'm looking forward to getting going."
