The Columbus Crew’s busy short and busy offseason isn’t slowing down. After winning the 2023 MLS Cup less than two weeks ago, the Black & Gold have been active in rebuilding the club’s roster for the 2024 season.

That build continued on Friday with the addition of Colombian midfielder Marino Hinestroza from Pachuca of Mexico’s Liga MX. Hinestroz, 21, is a U22 Initiative player and will take up an international spot on Columbus’ roster. Hinestroza’s contract runs through the 2026 season with an option for 2027. He will officially be added to the Crew roster when the MLS transfer window opens on Jan. 31, pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa. 

“Marino performed at a high level for Pachuca this past year, and we are excited to help further advance this young player’s development within our club,” Crew president and general manager Tim Bezbatchenko said in the release announcing the signing. “He is a talented individual who can fit various roles within our style of play, including adding a one-v-one threat to our attack.”

Hinestroza’s professional career began at Orsomarso Sportivo Clube in his native Colombia, playing in Torneo DIMAYOR II, making one appearance. The midfielder then signed for CD America’s U-20 side in Categoría Primera A before the 2019-20 season.

In January 2020, Hinestroza left Colombia for the first time, going on loan to Palmeiras U20 in Brazil’s CBF Brasileiro U20 league. He returned to CD America following the season when the loan expired, making one appearance to close out the season.

Hinestroza then joined Pachuca in 2022. During his time in Liga MX, the 5-foot-7 midfielder appeared in 46 matches, scoring two goals and adding four assists. He helped Los Tuzos win Liga MX’s Apertura title in 2022. 

Coming to the Crew, Hinestroza can play multiple roles in the midfield. He could line up as the No. 10, replacing another former Liga MX player in Lucas Zelarayan, but is likely to play as one of the wide attackers in head coach Wilfried Nancy’s front three.

Already this offseason, the Black & Gold have signed Guatemalan goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen and free agent midfielder Derrick Jones. Columbus also made three selections in the MLS SuperDraft, taking forward Jayden Da, midfielder Zach Zengue and goalkeeper Luke Pruter. After winning MLS Cup, the Crew will have more dense schedule in 2024 — featuring MLS, CONCACAF Champions League, Leagues Cup, Campeones Cup and possibly the U.S. Open Cup — and will need increased depth from the team’s roster.

2024 Columbus Crew roster:

Goalkeepers (3): Evan Bush, Nicholas Hagen, Patrick Schulte

Defenders (8): Malte Amundsen, Rudy Camacho, Yevhen Cheberko, Mohamed Farsi, Keegan Hughes, Steven Moreira, Philip Quinton, Will Sands 

Midfielders (8): Marino Hinestroza, Derrick Jones, Kevin Molino, Alex Matan, Aidan Morris, Darlington Nagbe, Yaw Yeboah, Sean Zawadzki  

Forwards (5): Max Arfsten, Cucho Hernandez, Christian Ramirez, Diego Rossi, Jacen Russell-Rowe