Garey Re-signed by the Crew

COLUMBUS, OH - December 21, 2009 - The Columbus Crew announced Monday that they have re-signed forward Jason Garey to a four-year contract. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed.

Garey, 25, was originally drafted by the Crew in the first round (No. 3 overall) of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft after concluding a stellar four-year collegiate career at the University of Maryland, where he led the Terrapins to the 2005 NCAA National Championship and was awarded the 2005 MAC Hermann Trophy as NCAA Division I Player of the Year.

In his four seasons with the Black & Gold, Garey has made 61 league appearances, with 31 starts, totaling 13 goals and four assists. The Gonzales, La., native notched four goals and two assists for the Crew in 15 appearances during the 2009 season, falling just one goal short of his 2006 rookie campaign when he tallied a career-high five goals, along with two assists. He also tallied seven goals and five assists in just 16 MLS Reserve Division matches from 2007-08 and has scored in U.S. Open Cup play and twice in international friendlies.

"We are happy to have Jason back with the squad," said technical director Brian Bliss. "He has shown over a four-year period that he can make a contribution. As we've seen in his time here, when he's been given opportunities, Jason has been someone who's delivered.