Another key transfer is joining the Crew, who hope that acquiring former New York City FC star Santiago Rodriguez helps them end afive-game losing streak that includes four MLS defeats.
Rodriguez, 26, is a former MLS star midfielder who helped NYCFC win the 2021 MLS Cup and 2022 Campeones Cup before moving to Botafogo of Serie A in Brazil for fees ranging from $15-$17 million in February 2025.
Botafogo's financial woes led to the Brazilian club owning unpaid fees to NYCFC for Rodriguez and Atlanta United for midfielder Thiare Almada in 2024, which made the process to acquire Rodriguez complicated. Once news leaked Aug. 21 about the Crew trying to sign Rodriguez, it became a race for Crew GM
Issa Tall to get a deal done before the summer transfer window closes Sept. 2.
Now that it's done, the Crew have secured Rodriguez for the next four seasons with a team option for a fifth. Rodriguez, meanwhile, is cleared to work in North America.
SÚBELOOOO, SANTI 📲🦋🤲
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) September 2, 2026
Bienvenido al club, Santiago Rodríguez 🤩 pic.twitter.com/9yepTTzdBU
Depending on the date of his arrival and receipt of his International Transfer Certificate, the Uruguayan midfielder could potentially join the Crew in their next game Sept. 5 against the Colorado Rapids at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. If not in that game, Rodriguez is expected to join the playing rotation soon.
The Crew did not disclose Rodriguez's salary or the transfer fees, but he's filling a designated player spot that opened Aug. 28 with a mutual buyout on Daniel Gazdag's contract. Forwards Brais Mendez and Wessam Abou Aliare the other two designated players for the Crew, who also have a temporary designated player slot that's vacant after placing Abou Ali on the season-ending injury list while he recovers from ACL surgery in his right knee.
According to Capology, Rodriguez made $1.2 million per year with Botofogo on a deal that was set to run through 2027. He also made $1.2 million per season with NYCFC prior to his departure to Brazil.
What can Santiago Rodriguez add to Columbus Crew?
Reeling after five straight losses, including their past four MLS games, the Crew's attack could use a boost from a highly-skilled attacking midfielder like Rodriguez, who can also play forward and should pair nicely with Mendez up front.
Rodriguez's offensive production dropped significantly with his move to Brazil, but he had become a top scoring option for NYCFC prior to leaving. He scored 24 goals and added 21 assists over four MLS seasons, starting 100 of 116 games, and tallied 12 goals with six assists in his final season before leaving (2024).
During their recent slide, the Crew have struggled to finish in the offensive half while also getting trapped in their own half too often against high pressure.
Dispatch Blue Jackets/Crew reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew bring former NYCFC star Santiago Rodriguez back to MLS
