The Columbus Crew announced Wednesday afternoon that the Club has signed Columbus Crew 2 and Academy product Stas Lapkes as a Homegrown Player through the 2027 season with options for the 2028 and 2029 seasons. Lapkes becomes the 23rd Homegrown Player signing in franchise history.

Lapkes joined the Capybaras on an amateur agreement in May 2022 before signing an official MLS Next Pro contract in September 2023. Lapkes debuted for Crew 2, collecting a 3-0 clean sheet over New England Revolution II. He then became the youngest goalkeeper in Next Pro history to earn a start in the MLS Next Pro Cup at 17 years-old.

“Stas is a talented young player who has consistently sought to improve at every level of our development pathway, and his energy and positive attitude is a good fit with our group of goalkeepers,” General Manager Issa Tall said. “It’s also a credit to Stas and our Club to welcome another Crew Academy to the first team.

Our entire organization is dedicated to identifying top talent and developing players, and we look forward to continuing our work with Stas as he takes this important next step in his professional journey.”

During the 2023-24 season, Lapkes appeared 35 times (all starts), tallying 3,000+ minutes and 148 saves during the MLS Next Pro season, while helping Crew 2 get to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals appearances. While with Crew 2, Lapkes saw some time with the first team via short-term loan.

Lapkes was also selected to participate in the Goalie Wars event during the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge in July of 2024, ahead of the MLS All-Star Game between the MLS All-Stars and the Liga MX All-Stars.

“It’s a big honor and a blessing to sign a Homegrown contract with Columbus Crew. It has been an amazing journey with the Club, through Academy to Crew 2,” said Lapkes.

“I’d like to thank my family and also all the coaches and staff members that helped me along the way to achieve a first-team contract. I am excited for what the future holds for me here in Columbus.”

As a member of the Crew Academy since 2019, Lapkes had helped the U-17 squad to the 2022 MLS Next Cup final, being named the Best Goalkeeper of the U-17 MLS Next Cup Playoffs, then being named to participate in the 2022 MLS Next All-Star Game.