The Columbus Crew have acquired midfielder Santiago Rodríguez as a Designated Player from Brazil’s Botafogo FR. Botafogo plays in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, which is the the highest level of Brazilian football. The Uruguayan’s contract with the Crew runs through the 2029-30 season with a club option for 2030-31.  

According to reports, the fee for acquiring Rodríguez was approximately $6 million, with the proceeds going to other MLS teams rather than Botafogo because of outstanding debts related to previous transfers involving Rodríguez. 

The Crew’s three Designated Player slots are now filled with Rodríguez, Brais Méndez, and Wessam Abou Ali. Méndez was acquired from La Liga’s Real Sociedad in early July. Abou Ali was moved to the season-ending injury list after injuring his right knee in a match on April 12.

Rodríguez takes the DP slot previously occupied by Dániel Gazdag, after the Crew and Gazdag mutually agreed to terminate his contract on August 28, with the Crew opting to buy out the remaining term of his guaranteed deal. Gazdag was subsequently signed by the New England Revolution on September 2.

“We are thrilled to have Santi join our Club,” said Crew general manager Issa Tall. “He has exceptional experience across multiple leagues, including MLS, and was part of championship teams. He has proven to be one of the best chance creators in our league through his technical quality and vision of the game.” 

The 26-year-old returns to MLS after spending the 2025-26 season with Brazilian top-flight side Botafogo, where he posted five goals and six assists in 58 appearances across all competitions, including Club World Cup, Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana play.  

Rodríguez initially joined New York City FC via loan in June 2021 before a permanent transfer in March 2023. Across four seasons with NYCFC, Rodríguez competed in 144 matches, registering 34 goals and 39 assists across all competitions.

Rodríguez, who was instrumental in NYCFC capturing their first MLS Cup in 2021 and the 2022 Campeones Cup, still stands second in club annals with 32 career regular season assists.  

He began his professional career with Nacional of the Uruguayan Primera Division in 2019, helping Nacional earn back-to-back Primera Division titles before joining Montevideo City Torque in November 2020. 

A Uruguayan Youth International, Rodríguez represented his national team in multiple age groups, including helping the U-20s reach the Round of 16 in the 2019 U-20 World Cup.