COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew 2 today announced that it has signed midfielder Thomas Roberts to an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract, pending league and federation approval. Financial terms were not disclosed. The 21-year-old brings MLS and European experience to the defending MLS NEXT Pro champions and joins the Crew after a recent loan stint in the Austrian Bundesliga.
“Thomas is a smart, technically gifted player who sees the game at a very high level, and we are very excited to welcome him to Columbus,” said Crew 2 General Manager Corey Wray. “Thomas has gained valuable experience both in Europe and in different levels of the American soccer pyramid, and we are looking forward to integrating him into the team and helping him to develop even further within the Crew organization.”
Roberts began his professional career when he signed a Homegrown contract with FC Dallas on July 25, 2018. After playing with the U-19 Academy team in 2018, Roberts spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons with the team’s USL League 1 affiliate North Texas SC where he appeared in 23 total matches and scored three goals.
The Little Rock, Ark., native made his MLS debut for FC Dallas on March 23, 2019, at the age of 17, entering in the 79th minute of the team’s match against the Colorado Rapids. Two weeks later, he earned his first MLS Start on April 6 in a road match at the Philadelphia Union. Roberts has appeared in a total of six MLS matches (three starts).
In July of 2021, Roberts headed to Europe, joining SK Austria Klagenfurt in the Austrian Bundesliga. Over the course of ten months, the 21-year-old made 11 appearances and registered one assist while abroad.
A U.S. Youth International, Roberts most recently joined the Under-20 team in January of 2020 for a training camp that also included Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte and midfielder Aidan Morris, and Crew 2 defender Stuart Ritchie on the camp roster.
Crew 2 begins defense of their title on the road against New York Red Bulls II on Sunday, March 26 and hosts New England Revolution II for the home opener at Historic Crew Stadium on Sunday, April 16.
Current 2023 Crew Season Ticket Members can add Crew 2 Season Ticket Memberships for $70, just $5 per match, via their account manager. Crew 2 Season Ticket Memberships for the general public are available for $112 here. Supporters also have the option to purchase Crew 2 season parking when purchasing Crew 2 Season Ticket Memberships. Single-match tickets for Crew 2 contests are on-sale here.
The full Crew 2 season schedule can be found here.
TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew 2 signs Thomas Roberts on March 24, 2023
Name: Charles Thomas Roberts
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’11”
Date of Birth: May 11, 2001, in Little Rock, AR
Hometown: Little Rock, AR
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Signed by Columbus Crew 2 on March 24, 2023
Previous Experience: FC Dallas (2018-22), North Texas SC (2019-22), SK Austria Klagenfurt (2021-22)
