The Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed defender Julius James. Per club and league policy no further terms of the deal were disclosed.
To make room for James on the roster, the Crew simultaneously waived defender Kwaku Nyamekye.
“James is a very good defender one against one,” said Crew head coach Robert Warzycha. “He’s very vocal and aggressive and puts everything he has into the game. He will be a good addition to the team.”
A strong center back from Trinidad & Tobago, James comes to the Crew after spending the last season and a half with D.C. United where he appeared in 31 matches and scored two goals. He spent the first part of 2009 with the Houston Dynamo, appearing in eight matches.
A product of the University of Connecticut, James was drafted in the first round of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft (No. 9 overall) by Toronto FC.
He appeared in 13 matches for Toronto, scoring one goal. At the end of his first MLS season he was traded to the Houston Dynamo in exchange for midfielder Dwayne DeRosario.
“This is another great opportunity for me and a step in the right direction,” said Julius James. “I am very happy to be with a team that has been consistently successful throughout the years I have been with this league.”