View source for Crew Part Ways With Stalwart Higuain

<br>The Columbus Crew will not retain longtime midfielder Federico Higuain and declined his option for 2020, the franchise announced Monday.<br> <br>Higuain is the only player in franchise history with at least 50 goals and 50 assists.<br>Higuain, who turns 35 on Friday, has recorded 55 goals and 63 assists in 193 matches (184 starts) in eight seasons with Columbus.<br> <br>"On behalf of our Club and our ownership group, I'd like to thank (Federico) for everything that he has been for this Club," Crew general manager Tim Bezbatchenko said in a statement.<br><br>"He is an absolute legend; he's respected from top to bottom in our organization."<br> <br>Higuain experienced a disappointing 2019 campaign that was cut short by a season-ending ACL tear on May 25 against the Colorado Rapids. He had one goal and five assists in 14 games (13 starts) before the injury.<br> <br>Higuain was one of six players who didn't have their options picked up.<br><br>The others were goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard, defender Alex Crognale and midfielders David Guzman, Edward Opoku and Eduardo Sosa.<br> <br>Midfielder Pedro Santos was one of six players who had his option picked up. Santos experienced a breakthrough campaign with 11 goals and six assists.<br> <br>Columbus also picked up the options on midfielders Wil Trapp and Luis Argudo and defenders Hector Jimenez, Jonathan Mensah and  [http://allinfootballncricket.website2.me/blog/best-cheap-young-cm-in-fifa-19 http://allinfootballncricket.website2.me/blog/best-cheap-young-cm-in-fifa-19] Waylon Francis.<br> <br>Bezbatchenko said he would like to keep Higuain with the club in a non-playing role.<br> <br>--Field Level Media<br>