Columbus Crew Add Chilean Forward Gonzalo Tapia on Loan from São Paulo
The Columbus Crew have moved to strengthen their attack with the addition of Chilean forward Gonzalo Tapia, acquiring the 24-year-old on loan from Brazilian side São Paulo through the 2027 MLS Sprint Season, with an option to make the transfer permanent.
The deal, announced on August 5, gives Columbus a versatile, energetic forward who arrives with senior international experience and a need for consistent minutes. Tapia will occupy an international roster spot pending the completion of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 visa.
A Player Looking for Rhythm
Tapia’s path to Columbus has been eventful. A product of Universidad Católica’s academy in Chile, he established himself as a regular in the Primera División before making the jump to River Plate in Argentina in 2025. His time in Buenos Aires was brief and limited. A subsequent loan to São Paulo turned into a permanent move, but opportunities remained scarce.
In 48 appearances for the Brazilian club, Tapia scored eight goals. Under head coach Dorival Júnior, he struggled to break into a crowded attacking group that included Jonathan Calleri, Luciano, André Silva and others. Despite showing willingness to play across the front line, regular starts proved elusive.
That lack of rhythm made a move attractive. According to Brazilian reports, Columbus was the only club to submit a formal offer, and Tapia prioritized the opportunity to play in MLS. Negotiations briefly stalled over personal terms before both sides found common ground. The loan includes a reported purchase option of around $1.5 million.
What He Brings
At 5-foot-10, Tapia is not a traditional target forward. He is more of a mobile attacker who can operate on either wing or as a second striker. Crew general manager Issa Tall described him as “a talented and hard-working player who brings quality and competition to our attack,” adding that the club believes he has the attributes to make an immediate impact.
Tapia also arrives with international pedigree. He has represented Chile at multiple youth levels, including the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, and has earned senior caps since 2024, scoring three goals in roughly a dozen appearances.
Timing and Context
The move comes as Columbus continues to shape its roster for the remainder of the 2026 season and the upcoming Sprint Season that will bridge the league’s transition to a fall-to-spring calendar in 2027. With striker Wessam Abou Ali dealing with injury, the Crew still retain a temporary Designated Player slot, but Tapia will not occupy a DP position.
For São Paulo, the loan eases pressure on the wage bill and creates more space for younger attackers. For Tapia, it offers a clearer path to regular football at a club that has consistently valued technical, high-work-rate forwards.
Whether the move becomes permanent will depend on how quickly he adapts and how much he contributes over the next several months. For now, Columbus has added a hungry, internationally capped attacker who arrives motivated to prove himself in a new league.
The Black & Gold’s latest addition is ready to get to work.