TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Extension
Columbus Crew SC and captain Jonathan Mensah have agreed to a contract extension, the club announced Thursday. The multi-year contract extension was signed using allocation money and will kick in next year.
Mensah, 30, has been a constant with the Crew since joining from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala ahead of the 2016 season. He has 95 appearances with the Crew, including being on the pitch for every single minute thus far of Columbus' 2020 campaign.
“We are thrilled to announce that Jonathan has signed a multi-year contract extension with the Club,” Crew president and GM Tim Bezbatchenko said in a club statement. “In addition to having a ‘Defender of the Year’ award-worthy season in 2020 and consistently being one of the top defenders in MLS, Jonathan is someone who leads by example and serves as a role model to the younger players. He has earned the respect of teammates, coaches and the Central Ohio community alike for his efforts on and off the field and we are delighted that he has committed to remain in Columbus.”
The defender has anchored a backline which has been amongst the best in MLS this year, conceding a league-low 15 goals over 18 matches thus far. The Crew have already clinched their playoff berth with a handful of regular season games remaining.
Mensah has 58 appearances with the Ghanaian national team, including at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. His country didn't qualify for the 2018 World Cup. He also featured for Spanish club Granada and French side Thonon Evian FC during his career.
