Hugo Picard has completed his move to Major League Soccer side "Columbus Crew" from French club Guingamp for a transfer fee of €2 million plus add-ons. The 22-year-old midfielder has penned a deal running through 2028, with the club holding an option for an additional year.
"We are excited to welcome Hugo to Columbus," stated Columbus Crew general manager Issa Tall. "Hugo is a dynamic player who possesses a tremendous work ethic. His tactical acumen and ability in the final third will help continue to elevate the level of our team."
The French midfielder becomes the sixth most expensive signing in "Columbus Crew" history and will be registered under MLS's U22 Initiative, which allows clubs to sign young players without occupying a Designated Player slot.
Interestingly, Picard's move to America comes as somewhat of a surprise to French football observers. According to Ronan Caroff, Area Manager France at Transfermarkt, many expected the talented midfielder to join a top Ligue 1 side instead. His impressive 2023/24 campaign saw him record five goals and 11 assists across 41 appearances while helping Guingamp reach the promotion playoffs.
Who exactly is Picard? The diminutive midfielder describes himself as a "false-winger" who prefers moving into central areas between the lines rather than hugging the touchline. Despite his small stature, he's never viewed his size as a limitation.
"I've never seen my size as a flaw," Picard told SoFoot earlier this year. "It's forced me to broaden my palette, to develop my game intelligence, my little steps, my changes of direction."
Picard has cited Lionel Messi, Florian Wirtz, and Rayan Cherki as players whose styles he tries to emulate. By the way, data scouts in France believe his ceiling could be remarkably high – potentially making him one of the standout players in MLS.
Can the young Frenchman live up to these lofty expectations in his new American adventure? "Columbus Crew" fans certainly hope so.
