Columbus Crew sign free-agent defender Corey Ashe

Veteran free-agent defender Corey Ashe signed a contract with the Columbus Crew, the club announced Friday.

Ashe joins the MLS Cup finalists following a season at expansion side Orlando City, where he made nine appearances for the club.

(Courtesy: @ColumbusCrewSC)

"We would like to thank Corey for choosing Columbus Crew SC," gaffer Gregg Berhalter said in a statement. "He is a dynamic full-back who has played a big role on successful teams throughout his tenure in this league.

"He has won an MLS Cup, has played in two more and will provide veteran leadership and experience to our backline. We feel that Corey will be an ideal fit for our system."

Ashe's first spell in the MLS was with the Houston Dynamo, with whom the full-back won the 2007 MLS Cup. The Dynamo followed that up with back-to-back Eastern Conference titles in 2011 and 2012, with Ashe starting in both MLS finals.

The 29-year-old was named to the MLS All-Star teams in 2011 and 2013, and will add a veteran presence to a backline that boasts the likes of Harrison Afful, Michael Parkhurst, and Waylon Francis.