Columbus signs Federico Higuain to new DP contract, largest in club history

Federico Higuain is the best player on the Columbus Crew, and the club is treating him as such.

Columbus announced Monday that they have signed the Argentine to a new Designated Player contract, the largest deal in team history.

Per MLS policy, terms were not disclosed.

Higuain, 30, has been an offensive juggernaut since joining the Crew midway through the 2012 campaign, leading the team in goals (27) and assists (23) in his two-and-a-half years in MLS.

His 247 chances created are also the most in the league since his arrival, highlighting the playmaking ability that has become vital to Columbus' attack.

Sporting director and head coach Gregg Berhalter had this to say of the announcement:

Federico has proven to be one of the top talents in Major League Soccer and a key contributor to the attacking, possession-based brand of soccer that we are trying to play at the club. This new contract demonstrates both Mr. Precourt’s vision to create an attractive, winning team and Federico’s commitment to play in Columbus for the foreseeable future.

As for the player himself, Higuain was - not surprisingly - elated with the new contract: