COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed forward Ryan Coiner. Per league and team policies, contract terms are not disclosed. The deal is pending approval of his international clearance.
Coiner spent the last three years in the German Third Division, playing the 2005/2006 season with Holstein Kiel where he tallied 10 goals in 31 games. Kiel finished fourth in the final standings, just missing a chance for promotion to the second division.
Prior to his season with Kiel, he played with 1.FC Union Berlin in the 2004/2005 season and with Arminia Bielefeld II in the 2003/2004 season. He notched 12 goals in 32 games for Union Berlin and 16 goals in 20 games for Bielefeld.
"We're excited to add a striker who has proven himself to be a goal scorer in the German Third Division," said Crew Head Coach Sigi Schmid. "We anticipate him transferring that success to MLS."
Coiner played at the University of San Diego from 1999-2002, twice earning second-team All-American honors and being named West Coast Conference Player of the Year in 2000 and 2002. He left USD as the school's second all-time leading goal scorer with 49 goals, second only to Guillermo Jara's 51.
RYAN COINER
Position: Forward
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185
Birthdate: September 7, 1979 (26)
Hometown: Aliso Viejo, Calif.
Last Club: Holstein Kiel, German Third Division (2005/2006)
Transaction: The Crew signed forward Ryan Coiner
