The Columbus Crew will transfer star midfielder Max Arfsten to England's Middlesbrough FC, a source confirmed July 31.

Middlesbrough has agreed to pay up to a $7.5 million transfer fee, while the Crew retains a clause giving them an undisclosed fee if Arfsten is sold by his new team.

im ignorant. is Middlesbrough a higher level or lower level of soccer?

Middlesbrough probably a small step up from Columbus.

You think so? If they do well enough, they could move up to the Premier legue. That's seems like a pretty big deal for Max. That being said, I'm by no means a soccer expert.

The TOP MLS clubs are considered comparable to the mid to upper levels of the Championship League. Middlesbrough is squarely in the middle of this year’s L
league standings. Columbus Crew isn’t currently a TOP MLS club, so it’s definitely a step up for Max.

Middlesbrough isn’t in line for automatic promotion tp the Premier League, and they’d need to out-perform in the playoffs to be considered.

Regardless of Middlesborough's status, a move to the Championship league is huge for Max and his development. He'll consistently be playing with and against better players than he was in MLS.

Also, hopefully, a recruiting boost for UCD.

It's definitely a step up. There are some strong teams in the Championship League. Most were relegated from Premier so too weak for English Premier League but tough in the CL. Most recently West Ham United, Burnley, Wolverhampton. West Brom and Stoke City are fairly decent.

Wrexham is in the Championship League so he might get to meet Ryan Reynolds :smile:

It would be amazing if Max were ever to play for Wrexham and he showed up in one of the Welcome to Wrexham series episodes. My wife and I love that series and are currently watching season 5.

For those who may not know about the series, all of the seasons currently stream on HULU and we would highly recommend it. The series not only follows the current ups and downs of the Wrexham club, which is the oldest football club in Wales formed in 1864, it also captures the importance of the team to the the people of the community throughout the history of the town along with heartfelt personal stories of the fans and players. It is an excellent series that has created a worldwide fan base for the Wrexham Football Club and it has put Wrexham on the map and has helped revive the economy of the town.

Cool! How (why) was he featured in the episode?

Max just began playing for the Middlesbrough FC after transferring from the Columbus Crew (USA). Middlesbrough is in the Second Tier just below the Premier League and Wrexham just advanced to the Second Tier this year so these two teams are at the same level.

Max started for Middlesbrough against Wrexham in his first game last Friday which Middlesbrough won 1-0. If the Welcome to Wrexham series continues into a season 6 we may get to see some footage of him in this game since the series follows Wrexham each year.

August 6, 2026 by Larry Henry Jr

Max Arfsten is jumping right into the mix at Middlesbrough.

Arfsten is set to make his club debut on Friday when Kim Hellberg’s squad hosts Wrexham in EFL Cup play. The U.S. Men’s National Team defender made the permanent move to Teesside from the Columbus Crew earlier this week, joining up with international teammates Aidan Morris and Sebastian Berhalter.

Although Arfsten hasn’t had a lot of time with his new squad yet, Hellberg is excited to see what he brings to the mix.

“Very excited with him,” Hellberg said Thursday in his prematch press conference. “He had his first session on Tuesday and we have worked a lot with him.

“You can see why we have chased him for a long time, he has a lot of good qualities, he is good with both feet and I am looking forward to seeing him,” Hellberg added. “He is in more in-season than others who have arrived. He will be involved in the game.”

Arfsten’s versatility has allowed him to play in numerous roles and positions for both the Crew and USMNT, allowing him to express himself on both ends of the field.

A talented playmaker and defender, Arfsten should fit right into the EFL Championship’s style of play, a grueling league that Morris has already adapted to and one that Berhalter will want to also transition to.

Hellberg already has his plans for Arfsten in the squad, keeping him on the side where he’s enjoyed the most success to date.

“He played on the left side in a back-four and as a wing back for Columbus before moving to the right,” Hellberg said. “I see him more on the left side. It’s about getting to know him more. I see him as a left back or a left wing back in our setup.”

Middlesbrough will seek a first win of the new domestic season before taking on newly-promoted Lincoln City in their league opener.

https://sbisoccer.com/2026/08/max-arfsten-will-be-involved-in-middlesbroughs-efl-cup-match-vs-wrexham