The Columbus Crew have announced that it has signed dynamic young forward Aaron Horton to a multi-year deal as the first Home Grown Player in club history.
Per club and league policy no further terms of the deal were disclosed.
A native of Lewis Center, Ohio, and product of Olentangy Orange High School and the Crew Soccer Academy, Horton spent one season at the University of Louisville, in which the Cardinals advanced to the NCAA Men's College Cup for the first time in school history and finished as the national runner-up. He spent the 2009-10 season with CSA and was a member of the Crew's 2010 USL Super 20s National Championship team last summer, where he was named tournament MVP.
"I'm ecstatic, it's a dream come true to sign with the club I grew up following and rooting for," Horton said.
"I've been going to games at Crew Stadium since I was a kid, then played in the club's youth development program and (former Crew star) Brian Maisonneuve was my coach in (U.S. National Team U17) residency.
"Jeff Cunningham was my favorite player when I was a kid and to be his teammate now blows my mind."
