Taha Habroune Bio
Taha Habroune is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew. Born in Columbus, Ohio, he has risen through the Crew youth system to become a regular in the senior squad. Habroune has also represented the United States at multiple youth international levels, contributing at both the under-17 and under-20 age groups. He wears the number 16 shirt for the Crew and stands six feet tall.
Early Life and Background
Taha Habroune was born on February 5, 2006, in Columbus, Ohio, in the United States. He grew up in a household with Moroccan heritage, as both of his parents are of Moroccan descent, which gives him dual American and Moroccan citizenship. Raised in a city with a deep love for soccer and a strong Crew fanbase, Habroune grew up supporting the local Major League Soccer side from a young age.
His earliest organized football came at Blast FC, a youth club based in Ohio, where he developed his foundational skills as a midfielder. The experience at Blast FC prepared him for the step up to a professional academy environment, and his performances there drew attention from Major League Soccer scouts in his hometown. By his early teenage years, Habroune was widely regarded as one of the more promising midfield talents in the Ohio area.
Path to Soccer
Habroune joined the Columbus Crew youth academy in 2019, beginning a four-year spell in the club’s development system. Working with the Crew’s coaching staff, he progressed through the age-group teams and gained exposure to high-level training methods designed for eventual professional play. The academy environment allowed him to balance his education in Columbus with daily high-performance training.
His pathway toward a professional deal accelerated during his later academy years, when he began training regularly with Columbus Crew 2, the club’s reserve side. The reserve team provided Habroune with a bridge between youth football and the demands of senior professional competition. On May 21, 2023, he signed his first professional contract with Columbus Crew 2, formally starting his senior career.
Taha Habroune Career
Early Career (2023)
Just two days after putting pen to paper with Columbus Crew 2, Habroune was handed his senior Columbus Crew debut on May 23, 2023. He entered the match as a late substitute in a 1–0 U.S. Open Cup loss to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. The brief appearance marked the beginning of his journey with the first team.
He continued to feature for Columbus Crew 2 across the rest of the 2023 season, refining his game against older professional opponents. That same year, Habroune was selected for the United States under-17 team, taking part in the 2023 CONCACAF U-17 Championship and the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He gained valuable tournament experience at a major international stage while still an academy product.
Columbus Crew Breakthrough (2024)
On January 17, 2024, Habroune signed his first professional contract with the senior Columbus Crew side as a homegrown player, a deal that runs through 2027 with an additional one-year option. The agreement cemented his place in the first-team setup and reflected the club’s long-term belief in his potential.
Habroune played sparingly in his first full senior season in 2024, with opportunities mainly coming through the U.S. Open Cup and substitute appearances. He made his Major League Soccer debut as a starter in a 0–0 tie with Real Salt Lake on April 13, 2024, a match that signaled his readiness for league competition. He finished the 2024 campaign with five total appearances across all competitions.
Columbus Crew Era (2024–Present)
The 2025 season marked a clear step forward for Habroune within the Columbus Crew first team. He made his CONCACAF Champions Cup debut on March 4, 2025, entering the match at halftime and showcasing his growing comfort on a continental stage. The European-style competition against top club sides from across North America offered him a new challenge.
On July 12, 2025, Habroune scored his first goal for the Crew in a 4–2 victory over rivals FC Cincinnati, a performance that underlined his attacking influence from midfield. He followed that milestone with two assists in a 3–1 Leagues Cup win against Club Puebla on August 1, 2025, demonstrating his ability to create chances in tight matches. Across 2025 he has continued to combine Major League Soccer duties with continental cup appearances for the Black and Gold.
Driving Style and Strengths
Habroune is a central midfielder whose game combines technical passing with a willingness to arrive late in the attacking third. His comfort on the ball and vision allow him to link play between the Crew’s defensive lines and the forwards, while his movement into the box gives the team an additional goal threat. Operating alongside more experienced teammates, he has shown the tactical discipline required of a homegrown midfielder in a championship-caliber squad.
Notable Events and Milestones
Habroune’s most significant milestones include his senior Columbus Crew debut in May 2023, his first professional contract with the senior team in January 2024, and his first senior goal for the Crew in the 2025 Hell is Real derby win over FC Cincinnati. He also represented the United States at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup and featured at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, marking him as a regular at international youth tournaments.
Taha Habroune Career Wins
At the senior club level, Taha Habroune is still in the early stages of his trophy chase with the Columbus Crew, having established himself as a first-team regular only in 2025. His most memorable individual results to date include his first senior goal against FC Cincinnati and a two-assist performance versus Club Puebla in the Leagues Cup.
International Highlights
Habroune was part of the United States under-17 side that finished as runners-up at the 2023 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, a result that booked his place at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. In 2024 he progressed to the United States under-20 squad, helping the team reach the final of the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Mexico. He subsequently featured for the United States at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Taha Habroune Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Not applicable.
Personal Life
Taha Habroune holds dual American and Moroccan citizenship through his parents, who emigrated from Morocco to the United States. He continues to live in the Columbus, Ohio area, where he grew up and remains closely tied to the local soccer community that shaped his early career. Off the field, he maintains an active presence on social media, sharing updates from his professional journey with supporters.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 campaign has represented Habroune’s most productive season in a Columbus Crew shirt, with expanded minutes in Major League Soccer, the Leagues Cup, and the CONCACAF Champions Cup. His first senior goal against FC Cincinnati in July and his two assists versus Club Puebla in August reflect his growing influence on the team’s attacking play. He has regularly featured in midfield rotations, offering energy, passing range, and late runs into the penalty area.
At the international level, Habroune represented the United States at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, balancing club and country duties across a demanding calendar. The experience of competing in a senior global youth tournament complements his weekly work in Major League Soccer and continues his steady development curve.
Heading into the latter stages of the 2025 season, Habroune is firmly part of the Columbus Crew’s midfield plans as the club pursues playoff success. With his homegrown contract running through 2027, the organization views him as a long-term building block for the Black and Gold.