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Columbus Crew SC coach Gregg Berhalter extends contract

Columbus Crew SC coach Gregg Berhalter has agreed a multi-year contract extension, the club announced on Wednesday.

In accordance with both club and MLS policy, the additional terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Meanwhile, former Columbus Crew defender Emanuel Pogatetz, 32, has joined Bundesliga side Union Berlin on a short-term contract,the German club confirmed.

Berhalter, also Columbus Crew's sporting director, led the club to their second-ever Eastern Conference Championship and a berth in MLS Cup after a 53-point regular season (15-11-8).

Pogatetz joined Columbus Crew on a free transfer from Nurnberg in summer 2014, and his contract expired after last season, which saw the Crew reach the final against Portland.

However, the former Middlesbrough defender did not feature after suffering a knee injury in September last year.

Pogatetz, who made 110 Premier League appearances as well as featuring in 88 Bundesliga matches for Hannover, Wolfsburg and Nurnberg, signed his short-term contract, which includes an option for another year, at the Bundesliga II side on Tuesday.

"I am looking forward to this new challenge," the Austrian said.

"He's shown leader qualities in both Premier League and Bundesliga," Union coach Sascha Lewandowski said. "He's certainly capable of providing stability."

After 19 matches this season, Union Berlin, who started the year with high hopes, are 13th in Bundesliga II. United States international Bobby Wood is the club's top scorer with seven goals.

ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld contributed to this report.

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