- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Darlington Today
By the People, for the People
Darlington Nagbe Retires, Joins Columbus Crew Coaching Staff
Former Crew midfielder to take on new role developing young players after 15-year MLS career.
Published on Mar. 1, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Darlington Nagbe, a longtime midfielder for the Columbus Crew, has announced his retirement from MLS at the end of the 2025 season. However, Nagbe will remain with the Crew organization, taking on a coaching role focused on developing young players and creating customized improvement plans.
Why it matters
Nagbe was a key part of the Crew's midfield for over a decade, helping the team win an MLS Cup in 2020. His transition to the coaching staff will allow the Crew to retain his institutional knowledge and experience to nurture the next generation of talent.
The details
After 15 seasons as a professional player, the 34-year-old Nagbe will be stepping away from the field to join the Crew's coaching staff. In his new role, he will be responsible for working closely with the team's younger players, creating customized training and development plans to help them reach their full potential.
- Nagbe announced his retirement at a postgame ceremony on February 20, 2026.
- Nagbe's last season as a player will be the 2025 MLS season.
The players
Darlington Nagbe
A 15-year MLS veteran who spent the majority of his career with the Columbus Crew, helping the team win an MLS Cup in 2020. Nagbe is now transitioning to a coaching role with the Crew, focusing on developing the team's young players.
What they’re saying
“I'm excited to take on this new challenge and help shape the next generation of Crew players. My time as a player has been incredibly rewarding, and I'm looking forward to passing on what I've learned to the up-and-coming talent.”
— Darlington Nagbe (The Columbus Dispatch)
What’s next
Nagbe will begin his new coaching role with the Crew at the start of the 2026 MLS preseason.
The takeaway
Nagbe's transition from player to coach represents the Crew's commitment to developing homegrown talent and maintaining continuity within the organization. His experience and leadership will be invaluable in nurturing the next wave of Crew stars.
