COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Columbus Crew have added European veteran defender Emanuel Pogatetz (POH’-gah-tetz) as a discovery signing and immediately placed him on the roster as a late-season pickup.

Coach Gregg Berhalter said Pogatetz’s experience will be a valuable asset for the Crew in their stretch run.

Pogatetz has made more than 300 appearances around the world since 2000, including more than 115 matches in both England’s Premier League and the German Bundesliga. Coupled with time with Austrian and Russian first-division clubs, Pogatetz has attained 61 caps for the Austrian National Team, including in 22 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The 31-year-old spent time with West Ham United, Wolfsburg and Nurnberg in the past two years.

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