Columbus Crew are confirmed to be finalizing a deal to bring in Hugo Picard from French Ligue 2's Guingamp as a U22 initiative player.
The Crew are finalizing a deal with French midfielder Hugo Picard from French Ligue 2's Guingamp to a U22 initiative contract, a source has confirmed.
Picard, who was in Columbus for the Crew's 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union on June 29, has skipped traveling with Guingamp during July's preseason training camp.
🎻 Un air d’amour, une touche de génie : la symphonie Hugo Picard pour une Saint-Valentin inoubliable ! 🎵❤️🔥🖤
— En Avant Guingamp (@EAGuingamp) February 14, 2025
🗳️ On vote tous Picsou. Toujours en lice pour le trophée joueur du mois @UNFP : https://t.co/HtTPmsUXM8#EAGFCM#TeamEAG#WarRaokpic.twitter.com/AgWqHWK3kx
The 22-year-old finished his third season with Guingamp in May, recording three goals in 34 games, and had one season remaining with the club on his current contract.
When the deal for Picard is complete, he will become the Crew's only U22 initiative player. The Crew lost both of their U22 initiative players from last season, with forward Alex Matan's contract expiring and forward Marino Hinestroza being transferred to Atletico Nacional after being on loan to the Colombian club.
A U22 initiative player can be signed at a reduce budget charge, which is the amount of a player's salary and transfer fee that counts against the club's salary cap.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew finalizing U22 deal for Hugo Picard from Guingamp
Category: General Sports
