Celtic target Diego Rossi honoured by Columbus Crew and breaks 20-year MLS record

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Wilfried Nancy is said to be interested in bringing Columbus Crew striker Diego Rossi to Celtic in the January transfer window.

Rossi came to Celtic’s attention because he played for Nancy last season. And despite Columbus Crew’s mid-table position, the Uruguayan still managed to score 19 goals in 37 appearances.

Nancy is in desperate need of a striker as his misfiring Celtic players have spurned a hatful of chances in defeats to Hearts, St Mirren, Dundee United and Motherwell.

Is Diego Rossi the upgrade we need in January?

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And as reports over the festive period said Rossi was on his way to Celtic, Columbus Crew have honoured their top striker after he broke an MLS record that has stood for two decades.

• READ MORE: What Ryan Christie told Julián Araujo about the Celtic vs Rangers Glasgow Derby

Diego Rossi smashes 20-Year Landon Donovan MLS record

Rossi was Columbus Crew’s top goalscorer last season as he netted 19 goals across all competitions.

And as Columbus Crew announced the Uruguayan as their Golden Boot winner, Nancy’s transfer target also broke an MLS record that the legendary Landon Donovan held since 2005.

Crew announced on their website, “This year, Rossi earned his fourth MLS All-Star selection (2019, 2021, 2024 and 2025) and assisted Philadelphia Union’s Tai Baribo in the 2025 MLS All-Star Game against the Liga MX All-Stars on July 23.

“It was his second consecutive All-Star Game with an assist, becoming the first to do so in back-to-back years since Landon Donovan and Shalrie Joseph in 2004–05.”

At 27, Rossi is entering his peak years and has seven caps and one goal for his country.

Why Diego Rossi is Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy’s top January priority

Rossi clearly has an eye for goal as the Uruguayan continued to impress in the MLS.

The 27-year-old has played for just four clubs in his career and has scored goals wherever he has gone.

Here is how Rossi’s career has fared so far:

Very highly-rated in the US, it could cost Celtic up to $10m (£7.42m) to get Rossi in the January transfer window as he is contracted to Columbus Crew until December 2026 with a one-year option to extend the deal.