Columbus Crew signs Brazilian defender
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The Columbus Crew has signed Brazilian defender Glauber Leandro Honorato Berti.
Commonly known as Glauber, the 29-year-old defender is expected to join the Crew for preseason training in Bradenton, Fla., which begins on Thursday.
Glauber joins the Crew from Rapid Bucharest of the Romanian First Division, where he made 46 appearances and scored one goal from 2010-13 across all competitions.
The Brazilian-born centerback has spent time with clubs in Europe and Brazil, playing for Manchester City, FC Nurnberg and Brazilian sides Palmeiras and Clube Atletico Mineiro during his 13-year professional career. He helped Nurnberg win the 2007 German League Cup.
With Italian heritage and dual-citizenship in Brazil and Italy, Glauber has played one match internationally for the Brazilian national team.
Columbus went 15-12-7 last season. The Crew finished with 52 points, one shy of landing a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.