Fredy Montero is heading back to Cascadia, though he'll suit up for the Vancouver Whitecaps and not previous club the Seattle Sounders.
The Whitecaps officially announced Montero's signing on Wednesday, and said he will join the club on a one-year loan from Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda.
To acquire Montero's rights, Vancouver had to obtain the top spot in the MLS allocation order from Minnesota United, and did so by sending $100,000 in general allocation money and $125,000 in targeted allocation money for 2018, along with an international roster spot for 2017 to the expansion club.
Minnesota also acquired Vancouver's spot in the allocation order, with United now sitting fourth following Montero's signing.
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Lookin' good, @_fredymontero!#VWFC #OurAllOurHonour pic.twitter.com/wSaZ1MKuZz
- Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) February 15, 2017
"It's a great signing for us and we're delighted to welcome Fredy to our club," Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson said in a statement. "We have worked diligently throughout the offseason to strengthen the forward areas and today we have managed to add a very good striker in Freddy.
"He has proven throughout his career to be an elite attacking player and consistent goalscorer, and he is already familiar with the league and environment."
Montero, 29, is well known to MLS fans after spending four seasons with the Sounders. From 2009-12, he scored 60 goals in 160 league, playoff and cup appearances.
"I'm really excited, so happy, and feel blessed," Montero said via a press release. "I was looking forward to once again playing in Major League Soccer and I am so thankful to Whitecaps FC for giving me this opportunity. I can't wait to step onto the field, in front of the great Vancouver supporters, and start scoring goals."
In 2013, Montero returned to his native Colombia for a solitary season with Millonarios while on loan, before spending parts of three seasons with Portuguese side Sporting CP, where he scored 37 goals in 94 league and cup appearances. Montero was on loan initially, but was officially transferred to Sporting in early 2014.
It was just over a year go that Montero then made a big money move to Tianjin, with his transfer fee reportedly €5 million. In his one season with Tianjin, he scored nine goals in 30 league and cup appearances.
At international level, Montero has made four appearances for Colombia without scoring a goal.