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Columbus Crew sign former CF Montreal midfielder Lassi Lappalainen
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- Columbus Crew sign former CF Montreal midfielder Lassi Lappalainen
The Crew have signed free agent midfielder Lassi Lappalainen to a one-year contract, with a club option for 2026. This is Columbus ' first move this offseason outside of re-signing goalkeeper Evan Bush.
Lappalainen comes to Columbus as a free agent after six seasons playing for CF Montreal. At the end of the 2024 season, Montreal declined to pick up the 26-year-old's contract option, making Lappalainen a free agent.
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In 2019, Lappalainen signed with Italy 's Bologna FC 1909 but spent most of his time on loan to Montreal before officially signing with Montreal at the end of the 2021 season.
"Lassi's (Lappalainen) ability to play multiple positions makes him a valuable addition to our group," Crew general manager Issa Tall said in a statement. "Lassi brings with him a wealth of experience and familiarity with the demands of our style of play."
Crew coach Wilfried Nancy's career in Montreal overlapped with Lappalainen's. Lappalainen played 43 regular-season games and scored 4 goals at wingback under Nancy for two season.
May 27, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; CF Montreal midfielder Lassi Lappalainen (21) dribbles the ball against Inter Miami during the first half at Stade Saputo. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
With Montreal, where Lappalainen slotted in at either a wingback or forward positions, he had 15 goals and 15 assists across six seasons.
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Lappalainen had surgery to repair a hernia in December 2023 and didn't make his first appearance in the 2024 season until a March 30 game against D.C. United . Lappalainen ended up playing in 11 regular-season games, starting in one.
The Espoo, Finland, native made his debut for the Finnish national team in 2019 and has participated in nine international games, the latest in 2021.
There has been little roster movement for the Crew this offseason. Columbus declined to pick up the options of midfielder Yaw Yeboah and defender Keegan Hughes and parted with forward Alex Matan after his contract expired. The Crew's roster stands at 24 players with Lappalainen's signing.
The Crew's 2025 season is set to begin on Feb. 22 against the Chicago Fire at Lower.com Field.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew sign Lassi Lappalainen as free agent from CF Montreal
