COLUMBUS – The Columbus Crew have acquired free agent defender Eric Bailly, who most recently played for Spain’s Real Oviedo and possesses 12 seasons of experience combined between La Liga and the English Premier League. Bailly – whose contract is guaranteed through June 2027 with Club options for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 MLS campaigns -- will occupy an international roster slot and will officially join the Crew roster following receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa.
“We are excited to welcome Eric to Columbus. His experience at the highest levels of the game, combined with his defensive quality, leadership, and composure, will strengthen our backline and have an impact on our roster,” said Crew General Manager Issa Tall. “Eric brings a winning mentality and valuable experience that will benefit our group both on and off the field. We look forward to integrating him into the team as we continue pushing toward our goals in the second half of the season.”
Bailly – a UEFA Europa League, EFL Cup and FA Community Shield winner – competed with Real Oviedo (2025-26) after tenures with RCD Espanyol (2014-15), Villarreal CF (2015-16; 2023-25), Manchester United FC (2016-23), Olympique de Marseille (2022-23) and Beşiktaş (2023).
The Bingerville, Ivory Coast, native joined Manchester United ahead of the 2016-17 season. Across seven seasons with the Red Devils, Bailly recorded one goal and one assist in 113 appearances while helping the club win the UEFA Europa League (2016-17), EFL Cup (2016-17) and FA Community Shield (2016). He made 11 appearances during Manchester United's UEFA Europa League-winning campaign and one appearance during the club's EFL Cup-winning run. Bailly also played the full 90 minutes in the club's 2-1 victory over Leicester City in the 2016 FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium.
During his first stint with Villarreal from 2015-2016, Bailly appeared in 50 matches, recording one goal and one assist. He returned to the club in December 2023 for a second spell, adding 22 appearances.
With Real Oviedo, Bailly played in 16 contests and scored one goal. He also appeared in five matches for Turkish Süper Lig side Beşiktaş in 2023 after spending the 2022-23 season on loan with Ligue 1 club Olympique de Marseille, where he featured in 23 matches across all competitions.
An RCD Espanyol youth product who contributed in 21 games for Espanyol B, Bailly logged 355 minutes across five matches with Espanyol following his professional debut on Oct. 5, 2014.
At the international level, Bailly has earned 49 caps, two goals and one assist with the Ivory Coast National Team since making his senior international debut on Jan. 10, 2015. The defender was part of the Ivory Coast’s African Cup of Nations championship-winning squad in 2015. Additionally, Bailly represented the Ivory Coast in four matches at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he netted one goal.
TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew acquire free agent defender Eric Bailly, announced on July 17, 2026. Bailly is guaranteed through June 2027 with Club options for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 MLS campaigns.
Name: Eric Bertrand Bailly
Position: Defender
Height: 6’0”
Born: April 12, 1994, in Bingerville, Ivory Coast
Citizenship: Ivory Coast
Acquired: Acquired by Columbus Crew on July 17, 2026
Previous Experience: RCD Espanyol (2014-15); Villarreal CF (2015-16); Manchester United FC (2016-23); Olympique de Marseille (2022-23); Beşiktaş (2023); Villarreal CF (2023-25); Real Oviedo (2025-26)
