Columbus Crew sign free-agent forward Conor Casey

The Columbus Crew announced Tuesday they've signed free-agent forward Conor Casey.

With nine years of MLS experience under his belt, Casey joins the Crew having spent the last three seasons with the Philadelphia Union, who let him go at the end of the 2015 season.

"We are pleased to add Conor Casey to our squad," club manager Gregg Berhalter said in a statement. "He is an MLS Cup champion and in addition to his invaluable amount of experience in this League and in Germany, Conor brings proven goal-scoring ability and a high level of soccer intelligence."

Casey has made 191 regular-season appearances in MLS, scoring 146 goals. He links up with fellow Crew forward Kei Kamara, making Columbus the only MLS team with two players on its roster with 70 or more all-time regular-season goals.

He also joins the Crew with a bit of a reputation, which Columbus defenders Tyson Wahl and Corey Ashe have both dealt with first-hand.

"He's always a handful," Wahl told the club's website. "He's threatening in the box, that's where he does his damage, that's where he's made his career. He's a handful on crosses, getting shots off."

Ashe added, "He always knows where the defenders are, and the way he positions himself to receive the ball. But not only that, what he does after he passes the ball, he's a guy that is active. One minute he's in front of you and the next minute he's making a run either near post or far post trying to score goals."