The Columbus Crew have acquired forward Gonzalo Tapia from São Paulo of Brazil’s top-flight league, the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, via loan through the 2027 MLS Sprint Season, which includes a club option for a permanent transfer. 

“Gonzalo is a talented and hard-working player who brings quality and competition to our attack,” said Crew General Manager Issa Tall. “We believe he has the attributes to make an immediate impact to the team.”

The Recoleta, Chile, native initially joined São Paulo on loan from Argentina’s River Plate in 2025 before making the move permanent in 2026. During his time with the Tricolor, Tapia registered eight goals and added one assist in 48 matches.

A CD Universidad Católica academy product, the forward made his professional debut for Los Cruzados on Sept. 5, 2020, and scored his first career goal on Jan. 19, 2021. Tapia posted 22 goals and 10 assists in 117 contests across all competitions, including Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana. 

At the international level, Tapia has earned 12 caps for the Chilean National Team, tallying three goals and two assists since making his senior debut on Sept. 10, 2024, against Bolivia in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.