Federico Higuain will stay with Columbus Crew SC for another season after the designated player signed a one-year contract extension, the club announced on Tuesday.
The deal comes two months after the 32-year-old said he would leave Crew SC at the end of the 2017 season and was open to signing on with another MLS team.
But Columbus has now moved to sign him for another season, after he provided nine goals and 11 assists this year, his sixth with the team.
"We are pleased to announce that Federico Higuain will be in Black & Gold as a Designated Player for the 2018 season," Columbus coach Gregg Berhalter said in a statement. "Federico has been instrumental in establishing our style of play over the last four years and played a significant role in helping the club secure playoff berths in three of those four seasons.
"Federico's professionalism, character and humility off the field coupled with his undeniable, difference-maker ability on the field, make him one of the greatest players ever to wear a Columbus Crew SC jersey."
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Higuain, the older brother of Juventus and Arentina star Gonzalo Higuain, made just over $1 million in 2016, according to data provided by the MLS Players Union.
"It's a very important day, it's a big day for me," Federico Higuain said. "It's not easy to be away from my country, but here in Columbus my family and I have found a place to live and to, as I said in the beginning, be happy.
"I want to thank everyone who has been a part of this process in the time that I have been working for the club and say that I'm very happy."
Columbus has already locked up a playoff spot with two games remaining in the MLS regular season.
