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Lalas Abubakar joins Columbus Crew SC as 5th overall pick in 2017 draft

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Columbus Crew SC has selected Dayton center-back Lalas Abubakar with the fifth overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.

The 22-year-old Ghanaian Under-20 international joins the Eastern Conference side after having made 61 appearances for Dayton, pairing four goals with six assists.

He becomes the Crew's third Ghanaian player, with defenders Harrison Afful and new signing Jonathan Mensah currently in Gabon for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Born in Kumasi but later raised in the capital Accra, Abubakar moved to the United States after a spell at the University of Ghana. His displays there prompted his inclusion in the African giant's Under-20 program and the attention of representatives from Dayton.

Three years and 61 appearances later and Abubakar emerged as a solid centre-half talent, though it wasn't until his displays as part of the Player Development League with the Charlotte Eagles and Michigan Bucks that the hulking defender appeared a pro prospect.

Named 2016 PDL Defender of the Year whilst with Michigan, Abubakar was invited to the draft combine, where his dazzling showing merited the fifth pick in the draft.

A physically imposing player, Abubakar should be well-suited for a lengthy pro career if his mental game can match his frame. Somehow, that doesn't appear to be a problem.

"I believe in myself," Abubakar told SBI before Friday's draft. "I’m not scared of any forward. I don’t care if they’re 6-foot-5 or 6-foot-6, it’s me against you. I can win every air ball against you. Those are the guys that I want to go at because I want to show them that I can do it."

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