Overview
- Middlesbrough confirmed on Tuesday that Max Arfsten has joined on a four-year contract after a pursuit that began in early 2024.
- Media reports say the club paid about $7.5 million including add-ons and inserted a future sell-on clause with Columbus Crew.
- Arfsten, 25, is an attack-minded wide player who has played as a winger, fullback and wing-back for Columbus and the USMNT and earned 21 caps including one appearance at the 2026 World Cup.
- He links up with former Columbus teammates Aidan Morris and Sebastian Berhalter at the Riverside, continuing a recent pattern of Middlesbrough signing players from MLS.
- Columbus general manager Issa Tall issued a club statement praising Arfsten's development and the move is likely to give Middlesbrough more attacking options on the left after Matt Targett's loan ended.