COLUMBUS – The Columbus Crew have signed Goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen [HAY-ghen] to a contract for the 2024 season with option years through 2026. The 27-year-old joins the Crew as a free agent after most recently playing for Bnei Sakhnin F.C. of the Israeli Premier League. The Guatemalan international will officially be added to the Black & Gold roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.
“Nicholas has solid experience from his time abroad and with the Guatemalan National Team that provides additional depth to our already strong group of goalkeepers,” said Columbus Crew President & General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “We have a significantly higher number of games next year across multiple competitions, and it’s important that we continue to add depth and competition to our roster.”
A member of FC Dallas’ Academy, Hagen began his professional career in 2014 by signing with Guatemala’s CSD Municipal’s Under-20 side. With Municipal’s senior team from 2016-2020, he recorded 55 shutouts in 132 matches across all competitions to help lead the club to 2017 Clausura and 2020 Apertura titles.
The Guatemala City, Guatemala native transitioned to the Azerbaijani Premier League’s FK Sabail for the 2020 season, when he registered six shutouts in 27 matches. From 2021-2022, Hagen appeared in 41 matches and posted 14 shutouts with Hamarkameratene of the Eliteserien, the Norwegian first division. On Nov. 15, 2023, Hagen signed with the Israel Premier League’s Bnei Sakhnin and played in four matches prior to the conclusion of the season.
A Guatemalan Youth international, Hagen made his senior national team debut on Aug. 18, 2018 during an international friendly against Cuba. He has earned 34 caps for Los Chapines, representing his nation in Concacaf Gold Cup, Concacaf Nations League and 2021 World Cup qualifying matches.
TRANSACTION:Columbus Crew sign goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen for the 2024 Major League Soccer season with option years through 2026, announced on Dec. 20, 2023.
Name: Nicholas George Hagen Godoy
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 176 lbs.
Born: Aug. 2, 1996, in Guatemala City, Guatemala
Citizenship: Guatemala
Previous Experience:Bnei Sakhnin (2023), Hamarkameratene (2021-2023), FK Sabail (2020), CSD Municipal (2014-2020), CSD Municipal U20 (2014-2016)
