FAST FACTS: Justin Meram

Crew SC announced it signed Justin Meram to a multi-year contract extension. The 28-year-old is the longest tenured player on the club’s current roster – playing every minute of his professional career for Crew SC – and has made 155 appearances (103 starts), putting him in eighth place in all-time appearances for Crew SC. Meram won the club’s Most Valuable Player Award during the 2016 Major League Soccer season.

The Crew SC midfielder's impact has been felt throughout his career. Take a quick dive into his numbers with our Fast Facts:

• On October 16, 2016, Meram notched his 25^th career assist against the New York Red Bulls.
• Meram has tallied 24 goals 27 assists in 155 appearances (103 starts)
• He has provided an assist in each of his last five MLS Regular Season matches.
• He is in ninth place of all-time assist leaders for Crew SC and is one of only eight players to reach 20 career goals and 20 career assists for the Black & Gold
• On January 13, 2011, in Baltimore, Maryland. Meram was selected 15th overall by Columbus in the First Round of the MLS SuperDraft from the University of Michigan. On February 17, 2011he signed with Crew SC along with three other SuperDraft selections. On May 28, 2011, he made his MLS debut vs. Chivas USA and appeared in 17 total matches that year, starting four. He made his first assist on June 4, 2011, versus the New York Red Bulls in 1-1 draw at Red Bull Arena.
• Meram is the longest-tenured current Crew SC player
• Holds the record for the fastest MLS goal in postseason history (:09 vs. NYRB in 2015). He is one of only eight players in the 20 goals-20 assists club for Crew SC with 24 career goals and 27 career assists
• He produced a career-year in 2016 as Team MVP: Meram’s team-high 13 assists in 2016 more than doubled his next-best season of five assists in 2015. He also set career-highs in games played (33) and games started (31), making his 150th MLS and Crew SC appearance this season and his 100th career start as well. His 76 shots on the season also became a career-best for the Michigan-native. Columbus was undefeated when Meram scored this season with a 3-0-2 record. When the midfielder contributed an assist, the Black & Gold were 6-2-3.

Meram and Crew SC next face the Houston Dynamo on March 11 at 8:30 p.m. ET in Houston, Texas. The Black & Gold return home on March 25 to host the Portland Timbers for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at MAPFRE Stadium.