Columbus Crew sign former Manchester United defender Eric Bailly

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The Crew are adding experience to their backline by signing former Manchester United defender Eric Bailly as a free agent, the club announced on July 17.

Signed through June 2027, with a club option for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 seasons, the 32-year-old spent three seasons playing for La Liga's RCD Espanyol and Villarreal CF from 2014 to 2016 before making the move to England.

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"We are excited to welcome Eric to Columbus," Crew general manager Issa Tall said in a statement. "His experience at the highest levels of the game, combined with his defensive quality, leadership and composure, will strengthen our backline and have an impact on our roster."

Bailly was with Manchester for six seasons and was a part of the team's UEFA Europa League title in 2016-17. He made just 113 appearances during his time with the club because from 2018 to 2021, Bailly dealt with multiple injuries that limited his playing time.

In the 2022-23 season, Bailly was sent to France's Marseille on a loan before officially departing Manchester and joining Turkey's Besiktas.

Bailly returned to La Liga for three seasons, playing 38 games for Villarreal and Real Oviedo before becoming a free agent.

Beyond that, Bailly has international experience, having represented Ivory Coast in 49 games across a decade. His last international game was during a 2024 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Bailly is joining an already veteran defensive core that includes Malte Amundsen (28), Rudy Camacho (35), Steven Moreira (31), and Sean Zawadzki (26).

The Crew have signed four players in the MLS summer transfer window, though none are currently training in Columbus, as they are all awaiting their work visas.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew sign former Manchester United defender Eric Bailly

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