MLS club Columbus Crew have confirmed the signing of Austria international Emanuel Pogatetz.
The 31-year old former Middlesbrough, Bayer Leverkusen, Hannover and West Ham United man has joined the Ohio outfit after coming out of contract with FC Nurnberg at the end of last season.
Pogatetz has been brought in to replace Giancarlo Gonzalez , who joined Italian club Palermo recently, and head coach Gregg Berhalter was thrilled to welcome him to the Crew.
"We think [Pogatetz] is a great addition to the roster," he told mlssoccer.com.
"It's a highly experienced defender, captain of his national team - over 60 caps for Austria - in the Bundesliga, Premier League, you name it. Tonnes of experience.
"It's a different profile than Giancarlo. With Giancarlo, you know you're getting the potential for a sale because of his age, but [Pogatetz], I think, is more of a person who can affect the culture of the club with his experience, with his attitude and with his mentality."
