Josef Martínez is returning to Major League Soccer. The 2018 league MVP is finalizing a deal with the Columbus Crew, according to multiple sources familiar with the agreement, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because it is not yet official. Martínez, 33, and the Crew have agreed to a deal that will keep the Venezuela international in Ohio through the winter with an option to extend the arrangement for the 2027 MLS sprint season. He will be reunited with Laurent Courtois, the Crew’s interim manager who coached Martínez at CF Montreal.
Martínez and Liga MX side Club Tijuana mutually agreed to terminate the striker’s contract in May. He made nine appearances and scored one goal. Martínez will now look to play in a league he knows well, and for a club that needs a No. 9. Wessam Abou Ali, the Crew’s designated player at the position, required season-ending knee surgery in April.
Columbus is in 11th place in the MLS’s Eastern Conference. It defeated Pumas in penalties Tuesday night in Leagues Cup action and sits atop the MLS side of the bracket with eight points from three matches. The Crew will hope that the former Atlanta United star Martínez can provide a formidable presence inside the opponent’s penalty area. Martínez could be the striker Columbus needs to complement recent signing Brais Méndez, an attacking midfielder signed as Columbus’ new No. 10.
Martínez spent a week training with the Crew at the club’s facilities. A source with knowledge of the transaction, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, said that Courtois and his staff put Martínez through some grueling training exercises with the first team. The source said there are no concerns from the Crew regarding Martínez’s fitness or his surgically repaired right knee. In 214 MLS appearances, Martínez has 130 regular-season goals and 21 assists.
