Columbus Crew extend midfielder Max Arfsten's contract through 2027

The Crew have extended the contract of midfielder Max Arfsten through 2027, with a club option for 2028.

Prior to the extension, Arfsten's contract was set to expire at the end of 2024 . That deal was for $73,246 according to the MLS Player Association's salary guide released in May, and had club options for 2025 and 2026. Arfsten's salary under his extension is undisclosed.

Since the departure of Aidan Morris to England's Middlesbrough FC at the end of June, Arfsten has become the most offensively impactful midfielder for Columbus. Arfsten has recorded four goals and eight assists, the most goal contributions for a Crew midfielder with 12.

He has started 22 regular-season games this year after appearing in just 12 during the 2023 season.

"As our team prepared for the 2023 season, we identified Max (Arfsten) as a talented player who could develop into a key contributor," Crew general manager Issa Tall said in a statement. "Max has earned this new contract with the hard work he puts forth every day, including his willingness to learn, adapt and improve."

More: How Max Arfsten found his way to 'full confidence' in Columbus Crew's starting lineup

Before he was selected by the Crew in the first round of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft , Arfsten was a part of the San Jose Earthquakes MLS NEXT Pro team. Arfsten was the Crew's first pick, taken 14th overall.

bmackay@dispatch.com

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew extend midfielder Max Arfsten's contract through 2027