After 4 years, 161 appearances and 72 goals, Dániel Gazdag is leaving the Philadelphia Union. The 29-year-old Hungarian international will continue his career with the Columbus Crew, a team that won 4 trophies in the last 5 years, including two MLS titles. Columbus has paid $4 million for the Hungarian player, which could be increased by an additional $500,000 if certain performance-based conditions are met. Dániel Gazdag's contract expires at the end of the season, but his new club is expected to sign him to a new contract in the near future.

Gazdag has worn the Philly jersey since 2021. With 72 goals, he is the highest scorer in club history. In 2022, he led his team to the MLS Cup Final, scoring in the big game but then eventually losing on penalties to LAFC.Gazdag was also named to the MLS team of the year for the 2022 season.

Now he can continue his career under the guidance of Wilfried Nancy at Columbus. The Frenchman was voted coach of the year in 2024. Gazdag's new team, the Columbus Crew have won 4 prestigious trophies in the last 5 years, winning two league titles (2020, 2023), a Leagues Cup (2024) and a Campeones Cup (2021). He will not be the first Hungarian player in the club's history: in 2020, Krisztián Németh was a member of the squad that won the MLS Cup.

Gazdag gave one of his first interviews as a Columbus Crew player to YankeeFooty, in which I asked him about the background of the transfer and his expectations regarding his new club.

Who initiated this transfer? Philadelphia, Columbus, or You?

In January, when we were in Spain for a training camp, my agent sat down with the sporting director, as I had one year plus an option year left on my contract. We wanted to extend it. In January we got the answer that I would get an offer in the spring, but it didn't come in the end. Last Thursday, I learned that the Columbus Crew had contacted Philly about my services. Afterwards, I spoke with Philadelphia Union's Sports Director Ernst Tanner, who told me they were open to making a deal with the Crew. To be honest, I was a little surprised that they agreed to let me go relatively easily.

What emotions are you feeling right now?

To be honest, my first reaction is a bit mixed. The positive side is that the Columbus Crew is a very good team, they play good soccer and I could feel them wanting to get me. I expect to get a new contract from them. Because of this treatment I am very happy, I feel that they appreciate me. But I will not deny that I wanted to stay in Philadelphia as long as possible. That makes me a bit sad. My kids have loved this team and there are a lot of ties that bind us here. 

You have become the top goalscorer in the team's history, etching your name in the club's history books forever. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think back on your years in Philadelphia?

A lot of good things happened to me at this club. It would be hard to pick just one or two. For example, being the all-time top goalscorer is huge. Or playing in the MLS Cup Final... And I've made a lot of friends here at the club. Friends with whom we regularly organised family activities together. I'll miss Jacob Glesnes, Mikael Uhre and Alejandro Bedoya, to name but a few.

How did your teammates react to the news?

A few days ago I told those closest to me what to expect. Well...most of them found it hard to believe that the club was letting me go. I think they were a bit shocked by the decision.

What do you think of your new team, the Columbus Crew?

I have a very positive opinion! The game they play is a very good style of modern soccer. They have the ball a lot, they operate with short passes. When they lose the ball, they get it back very easily. To be honest...that's why it was very frustrating to play against them! As for the city, it seems like a calm, smaller city. They don't have too many sports teams, the Crew is the only option for fans to go to major league games, except for the local NHL team. The Crew plays in a relatively new stadium and their training center is brand new.

Who have you spoken to so far at your new club?

I have spoken to the GM and also the head coach Wilfried Nancy. They made me feel good. They are very happy and excited that I am joining them. Nancy also told me during our brief conversation that he encourages me to be myself. I don't have to please anyone instantly. He asked me to try to play without pressure. He wants me to do what I do best. Of course, he also requires me to follow some basic tactical instructions, especially on defensive side of the ball. But overall, I could sense that he was very happy that I was joining his team. The whole conversation felt like we had known each other for years.

Wilfried Nancy is considered by many to be the best coach in MLS, and his performances have been monitored by some teams in the top European leagues. What do you think of him and his tactical ideas?

He did very well with Montreal in the past, taking them to the playoffs. Then in his first year with Columbus, they won the MLS Cup, then the Leagues Cup the following year. So his results speak for themselves. And not just the results, but the way they play. I'm not surprised that he's being monitored by some European clubs, I'm excited to work with him. During our phone conversation, he stressed that he asks all his players to do what they love to do on the pitch and what they are comfortable doing. In addition, he provides some helpful ideas, such as where we can pick up the ball during the build-up play. I think I will learn a lot from him.

When do you expect to debut with your new team?

After the medical there will be an official presentation and then my debut. I expect things to happen quickly.

Where do you see your place in your new team?

I'm expected to play as an attacking midfielder, that's where I can be at my best. Sometimes the Crew plays with two 10s, sometimes with one.

Who are some of the Columbus players that you have noticed in the last few years?

Darlington Nagbe is one of those players, I played against him a lot. He's an unbelievably good at keeping the ball under pressure. As for Diego Rossi, I don't need to tell you the calibre of footballer he is. He's won MLS Golden Boot, he's been in Europe with Fenerbahçe, he's also played for Uruguay. They also have promising youngsters, like the Canadian international Jacen Russell-Rowe, who is doing very well this year. As I looked at the squad, it's a young and hungry team with experienced players who provide stability.

After the departure of Cucho Hernandez, there was a big void in the attacking line. Is it a motivation or an added responsibility for you to replace a club icon like him?

Sure, it's pressure on some level, but more of an extra motivation. We play in a different position, but it's understandable if the fans expect me to fill the void he left behind. I think my numbers have been pretty good in recent years, so I have something to build on.

The Columbus fanbase is famously dedicated, they even saved their own team from relocation a few years ago with their vehement protests. What have you experienced of the atmosphere there so far, what kind of reception do you expect from the hard core Nordecke supporters?

When we played there, they regularly created a very good atmosphere in the stadium. I also heard that they saved their team from relocation a few years ago. So they fight for their club to the end. I look forward to playing in front of them.

Columbus has had a Hungarian player before: Krisztián Németh won MLS Cup with them in 2020. Have you had the chance to talk to him about the team and the city? Do you plan to ask him about his experiences?

Yes, I already wrote him a message when it seemed certain that I would change teams. He helped me with some advice. He told me where he lived, he had good things to say about the city and even recommended some good restaurants. He also said that my family would have a great time in Columbus.

Will this transfer in any way influence your role in the Hungarian national team? Have you had any conversations with head coach Marco Rossi since the news broke?

I haven't talked to Marco Rossi about this yet. We will see what happens. What can be said is that the Crew play a bit of a similar style of attack to the Hungarian national team, which I think could be useful for me. We'll see how that affects my performance for the Hungarian national team.

How does your family feel about the move?

My wife has taken it very well, she is always very supportive, for which I am incredibly grateful. She tries to help as much as she can in whatever and wherever she can. The kids are a bit overwhelmed. Especially my older son, who has many friends at school and in the local football team in Philadelphia. But they are also excited and looking forward to my debut in another team's jersey. I think once they see the stadium in Columbus and the environment around it, they'll be much more enthusiastic. They'll be joining me in late to mid-June after the school year. And of course, they'll come out for a game or two before then.

What does this transfer mean for you from a sporting point of view? What can you improve on, what goals have you set yourself? What would you be satisfied with at the end of the season?

My goals are the same as I had with Philly: to reach double figures in goals and assists. I've never played on a team before that possesses the ball so much and operates long attacking build-ups. In terms of tactics, it's a big change, because in Philadelphia the emphasis was absolutely on transitions. I see this as a very exciting challenge and opportunity to develop professionally. Of course, there will be a transition period while I get used to the new things, but I hope it will be as short as possible. The trust and patience of my head coach will help a lot.

It will be very emotional to play in Philadelphia, and it's only a month away. I’m sure a lot of memories will come to mind, but as soon as the match starts, I'll put that out of my mind. But if I score, I won't celebrate, I owe it to the club and the fans. I hope the fans will welcome me back with open arms when I return.

Readers of YankeeFooty have followed your career in the US closely, with posts about you regularly getting a lot of attention. What message are you sending to the site's followers about this new era?

Continue to follow YankeeFooty and follow the Hungarians out here, I'm confident I can make them proud...and of course, support Columbus!

[Interview by: Tamás Kun, author of Jenkifoci]