Midfielder Cristian Martinez Joins Columbus Crew For Rest of Season

Today the Columbus Crew SC acquired midfielder Cristian Martinez on loan from Chorrillo FC for the 2016 Major League Soccer season on May 17, 2016. He will take-up an international roster slot for Crew SC.

The 19-year-old Martinez joins Crew SC on loan from his hometown Chorrillo FC from the first-division Liga Panamena de Futbol.

He began his career playing for Chorrillo’s Under-9 squad and developed through the club’s youth system to make his inaugural manifestation for its first team four years ago.

He joined Crew SC as a guest player for Columbus’s international friendly against Veracruz on May 11. He clocked 45 playing minutes and recorded one shot.

In 2016 Martinez earned two international appearances for the Panama National Team. His first appearance he helped Panama close-out a 1-0 victory. His second, he represented his first start for Los Canaleros, against Nicaragua.

The Crew SC seems to be making moves toward a youth movement with no egos attached.

This could be a play for Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter to inspire his team to win and most importantly, keep his own job.

“Cristian is a young, talented player with a bright future, and we’re pleased that we were able to complete this deal after having him in training with us over the course of the last few weeks,” Berhalter said.

“We’re excited to work with him and do our best to help him realize his potential as a professional.”

Gaining new and young talent could be just what the club needs to get a streak of wins going and get back to the MLS playoffs and make another run at the championship.

WATCH: Cristian Martinez on joining #CrewSC. For more about the midfielder visit https://t.co/fSgL9PnUcR.https://t.co/Q8I2471hLi

— Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) May 17, 2016