LAFC have acquired defender Yevhen Cheberko from the Columbus Crew in an MLS trade, sending Columbus a 2026 international roster slot, MLSsoccer.com reported.
The 28-year-old Ukrainian international will be formally added to LAFC's roster when the MLS Secondary Transfer Window opens on July 13. No cash fee was reported in the league's Transfer Tracker item.
LAFC Add An Experienced MLS Defender
Cheberko gives LAFC a defender who already knows the league and has played in a trophy-winning setup. MLSsoccer.com reported he made 94 appearances across all competitions for Columbus, contributing one goal and one assist.
He joined the Crew in 2023 from NK Osijek in Croatia's First Division. During his time in Columbus, he was part of the team that won the 2023 MLS Cup and the 2024 Leagues Cup.
LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington described Cheberko as a proven MLS defender with versatility, technical quality and experience, according to the league's report.
Columbus Receive 2026 International Slot
The Crew's return is a 2026 international roster slot, a useful piece of MLS roster currency as clubs manage foreign-player limits and future squad planning.
The timing also matters. Cheberko cannot be officially added to LAFC until the secondary window opens July 13, so the move is a roster agreement with a registration date attached rather than an immediate matchday addition.
For Columbus, the trade moves on a defender from a deep recent title run. For LAFC, it adds a Ukrainian international with two senior caps since his 2020 debut.
Trade Fits LAFC's Multi-Competition Push
MLSsoccer.com framed the move around LAFC's need to compete on several fronts this season. Cheberko's recent history in playoff and cup-winning teams gives the club another option for the back line once he is eligible.
The deal is cleanly defined: LAFC receive Cheberko, Columbus receive the 2026 international slot, and July 13 is the next practical checkpoint. Anything beyond that depends on how quickly LAFC integrate him after the window opens.