COLUMBUS — Columbus Crew SC today announced that it has signed midfielder and Designated Player Federico Higuain to a one-year, Designated Player contract extension through the 2019 Major League Soccer season.
The Argentine midfielder is in his seventh season with the Black & Gold in 2017 and is currently the longest-tenured player on the roster. Higuain, 33, has made 157 regular-season appearances (152 starts) for Crew SC and is the only player in club history to register at least 50 goals and 50 assists in regular-season action for the club, having tallied 50 goals and 52 assists. He is a three-time recipient of Crew SC’s Most Valuable Player award, having won the honor in 2013, 2014 and 2017.
Higuain is among Crew SC’s all-time leaders in multiple categories, including being the all-time leader in regular-season game-winning assists (17), regular-season penalty kick goals (17) and regular-season corner kicks (634); being in second place all-time for the club in regular-season assists (52); and being in third place all-time for Crew SC in regular-season goals (50). Additionally, Higuain is one of only seven players in Crew SC history to register three assists in a single match, having achieved the feat in a 3-2 home victory over the New York Red Bulls on September 23, 2016.
“In addition to being one of the premier playmakers in MLS, Federico is a model professional who leads by example,” said Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. “Federico has consistently performed at a high level for many years now, which is a testament to both his quality and work ethic and so we are pleased to reach a contract extension for the 2019 campaign. We are excited to see how a player with a historic career continues to add to his legacy as a player and a teammate, on and off the field. Federico is an important part of this system and as a team we remain committed in our push for another return to the postseason.”
The Buenos Aires, Argentina native has made eight regular-season appearances (all starts) this year, registering two goals and three assists, including one game-winning goal and one game-winning assist. In 2018, Crew SC is undefeated in regular-season matches in which Higuain has scored a goal or provided an assist, with a record of 3-0-1. Per Opta, Higuain is currently tied with New York City FC’s Maximiliano Moralez for most goal-scoring chances created (25) during the 2018 MLS regular season.
Higuain was signed by Crew SC as a Designated Player on July 27, 2012. After arriving midway through the year, during his debut campaign in 2012, he made 13 regular-season appearances (11 starts), recording five goals and seven assists en route to winning the 2012 MLS Newcomer of the Year Award. The following year, Higuain registered a career-high 11 goals and nine assists in 29 regular-season appearances (all starts) which earned him the Black & Gold’s Most Valuable Player award for that year. In 2014, Higuain made 29 regular-season appearances (28 starts) with his 11 goals and seven assists earning him both Crew SC’s Golden Boot and Most Valuable Player award. It was in the 2015 campaign in which Higuain made 32 regular-season appearances (all starts) and recorded eight goals and nine assists in 2015 while playing a key role in Crew SC’s run to MLS Cup.
In 2016, Higuain started in 13 consecutive regular-season matches, scoring three goals and providing three assists, before undergoing a hernia surgery which drastically reduced the number of matches he was able to play in as he recovered from the procedure. Last year, he returned from injury to make 26 regular-season appearances (all starts) while scoring nine goals and notching a career-high 14 assists in a single season. Additionally, Higuain helped the Black & Gold reach the 2017 MLS Cup Eastern Conference Championship while winning Crew SC’s 2017 Acura Most Valuable Player honors.
Higuain is a product of River Plate’s Academy, where he made his professional soccer debut in 2003 at the age of 18. Prior to signing with Crew SC, Higuain played First Division soccer in Argentina with River Plate, Nueva Chicago, Independiente, Godoy Cruz and Colon de Santa Fe; in Turkey with Besiktas; and in Mexico with Club America.
Up next, Higuain and Crew SC host the San Jose Earthquakes at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
TRANSACTION
Columbus Crew SC signs midfielder Federico Higuain to a one-year Designated Player contract extension through the 2019 Major League Soccer season on April 26, 2018.
