The Columbus Crew is on the verge of finalizing a deal to sign free agent striker Josef Martinez, the former MLS Most Valuable Player. The Venezuelan forward has reportedly agreed to a contract that will keep him with the Black & Gold until the end of the 2026 season, with an option for the 2027 Sprint Season. Notably, Martinez will not occupy a Designated Player spot on the Crew's roster.

Martinez's Career Journey

At 33 years old, Martinez began his career with Venezuelan club Caracas before moving to Europe, where he played for Swiss teams Young Boys and FC Thun. He also had stints in Serie A with Torino, where he developed into a prolific goal-scorer. In 2017, Atlanta United, an MLS expansion team at the time, brought him to the United States on loan from Torino, a move that was later made permanent.

During his time with Atlanta from 2017 to 2022, Martinez scored an impressive 98 goals and provided 16 assists in 124 appearances. His remarkable performance in 2018 earned him multiple accolades, including the regular-season MVP, All-Star Game MVP, and MLS Cup MVP awards, making him the first player in league history to achieve this feat in a single season. He also won the MLS Golden Boot that year, netting 31 goals in 34 matches.

Recent Moves and Impact

In 2023, Martinez joined Inter Miami, where he made 27 appearances, contributing eight goals (seven goals and one assist). He then transferred to CF Montreal, playing under current Crew interim manager Laurent Courtois, where he scored 11 goals and provided three assists in 23 matches. His last MLS stint was with the San Jose Earthquakes, where he netted 14 goals and added two assists before moving to Club Tijuana in Liga MX. After appearing in 14 matches and scoring nine goals, Martinez and the club mutually terminated his contract, as he expressed a desire to return to MLS.

This signing adds to a busy transfer window for the Columbus Crew, who have also acquired Brais Mendez as their new No. 10 following the transfer of Diego Rossi to CF Monterrey. Martinez joins a roster that includes Eric Bailly, Lautauro Giaccone, and Brooks Lennon. He was in Columbus last week, training with the Crew on trial, and now looks forward to contributing to the team's success.

With 130 regular-season goals and 21 assists across 214 MLS appearances, Martinez aims to enhance his impressive tally with the Black & Gold.