The Columbus Crew knew they'd have to strengthen their defensive core this offseason, and they think they may have found the perfect companion for Chad Marshall in the center of defense.
On Tuesday, the Crew announced that they had signed Brazilian defender Gláuber Leandro Honorato Berti, via a Discovery Signing. Per league and club policy, details were not released.
The 29-year-old defender, commonly known as Gláuber, has plenty of international experience and 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.
“Gláuber is a world-class international defender who we feel will be a great complement to Chad Marshall, anchoring our central defense," Crew president and GM Mark McCullers said in a statement. "This was a key priority to improve our team in the offseason and we are excited for him to join the club."
Throughout his professional career, Gláuber has also played for Manchester City in the English Premier League, FC Nürnberg of the German Bundesliga and Palmeiras and Clube Atlético Mineiro in his native Brazil.
Gláuber has played one match for the Brazilian national team. The defender’s lone cap came in a 3-0 victory for Brazil against Guatemala in a friendly on April 27, 2005.
The center back is set to join the Black & Gold for preseason training this week in Bradenton, Fla., pending receipt of his International Transfer Visa (ITC).
