The Columbus Crew have made their first offseason signing in free agent midfielder Lassi Lappalainen for the 2025 season, with a club option of 2026. Lappalainen, who previously donned the colors of CF Montreal, appeared in 99 regular season matches (62 starts) tallying 15 goals and 15 assists.

Lappalainen played under head coach Wilfried Nancy in 2022, collecting a career-best 10 goal contributions (three goals, seven assists) when Montreal finished second in the Eastern Conference, collecting 65 points.

Before joining CF Montreal, Lappalainen played 16 games (15 starts), for JHK Helsinki in the Veikkausliiga in 2019, adding two starts in the UEFA Champions League. The Finland native recorded six goals, adding two in Champions League fixtures.

Lappalainen joined Montreal on loan from Bologna FC 1909 in July of 2019. During his first season, he recorded five goals and one assist, followed by a brace in his MLS debut against the Philadelphia Union two days later.

“Lassi’s ability to play multiple positions makes him valuable to our group. Lassi brings with him a wealth of experience and familiarity with the demands of our style of play, and we look forward to integrating him into our squad when preseason gets underway next week,” said General Manager Issa Tall.

Competing with Rovaniemen Palloseura in 2017-18 on loan, Lappalainen tallied 12 goals in 39 regular season matches while recording three goals in the Finnish Cup. Lappalainen made his professional Club debut in the Finnish first division in 2016 with Helsinki, appearing in 14 regular season matches.

During his international career, Lappalainen earned nine caps for the Finland National Team, tallying two assists, making his senior national team debut on January 11, 2019.