The Columbus Crew have signed striker Josef Martinez on a free transfer after losing key players in the transfer window.

Martinez has signed a deal through to the end of the 2026 campaign, with a club option to extend for the 2027 MLS Sprint Season.

The 33-year-old brings a wealth of experience with him, having scored 130 MLS goals in 214 appearances across spells with Atlanta United, Inter Miami, CF Montreal and the San Jose Earthquakes.

He has scored the sixth-most goals in MLS history, while his seven hat-tricks in the competition are the most by any player.

It is a much-needed signing for the Crew, who have seen Diego Rossi and Max Arfsten join Monterrey and Middlesbrough, respectively, this summer.

Martinez could make his Columbus debut when they face Charlotte FC on Saturday.

"Josef brings a level of experience, proven production and competitive mentality that can make a real difference for our group," said Crew general manager Issa Tall.

"He adds another dynamic element to our attack, while also bringing leadership and valuable experience to our roster, especially given his familiarity with our team’s style of play and the league."

Columbus are currently 11th in MLS, five points behind seventh-place Charlotte in the Eastern Conference.

Despite the Crew's poor MLS form, they have reached the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup.

Charlotte, who lost their last MLS match 2-1 against the Chicago Fire, saw their Leagues Cup hopes dashed after a 1-0 defeat to Pachuca.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Charlotte FC – Pep Biel

Biel scored Charlotte's goal against Chicago last time out; he has now directly contributed to 16 (nine goals, seven assists) of Charlotte's 29 regular-season goals in 2026 (55.2%).

Those 16 goal contributions are tied for third-most in a single MLS season by a Charlotte player, behind Biel’s 22 in 2025 and Wilfried Zaha’s 20, also last season.

Columbus Crew – Brais Mendez

Making his MLS debut against Inter Miami in a 2-2 draw last time out, Mendez scored the equaliser in the 84th minute.

That was the latest result-changing goal by a Crew player since May 2025 against the Philadelphia Union, when Sean Zawadzki scored a leveller in second-half stoppage time.

MATCH PREDICTION – CHARLOTTE FC WIN

Charlotte have won three straight home meetings with Columbus, including a 3–2 victory when the teams met last season.

That is Charlotte’s third-longest home winning streak against a single opponent, behind four-game runs against Toronto FC and New York City FC.

Dean Smith's side have also scored multiple goals in six of their 10 regular-season home matches in 2026.

Since the start of 2025, they have tallied two or more goals in 18 regular-season matches at home, with only Miami (20) having more such games among MLS teams.

Columbus twice overcame a deficit in their 2–2 draw at Miami to begin the month, and the Crew have taken four points (W1 D1) from their last two MLS matches despite conceding first in each one. Prior to their recent run, Columbus had earned one point when allowing the first goal this season (D1 L4).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Charlotte FC – 40.6%

Draw – 26.6%

Columbus Crew – 32.7%