St. Louis City SC announced Tuesday that the club has reached an agreement with Romanian midfielder Alexandru Matan, locking him in through the 2028-29 MLS season.
The 26-year-old arrives as a free agent, with his new contract also carrying an option for the 2029-30 campaign. To secure the signing, St. Louis sent Columbus $100,000 in general allocation money for the 2026 season in exchange for the Crew’s right of first refusal on Matan.
Matan spent four seasons with Columbus from 2021 through 2024, building an impressive resume along the way. During his time with the Crew, he contributed seven goals and 18 assists across 117 appearances in all competitions. He was also part of championship-winning squads, helping Columbus claim the MLS Cup in 2023 and the Leagues Cup in 2024.
Most recently, Matan suited up for Greek top-flight club Panetolikos FC during the 2025-26 season before becoming available as a free agent.
St. Louis sporting director Corey Wray expressed enthusiasm about what the midfielder brings to the team. “He brings something different to the squad with his creativity, his ability to progress the ball and his bravery in one-on-one situations,” Wray said. “He has a clear understanding of how we want to play and his familiarity with the system, combined with his experience in the league, should help him settle in quickly.”
