TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
The rich get richer as reigning MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew SC have signed winger Kevin Molino, the club announced Thursday. He was a free agent.
Molino, 30, joins after four seasons with Minnesota United. He is coming off perhaps his best ever season in MLS last year with nine goals and four assists in 1,264 minutes, then added another four goals in three appearances in the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs.
“Throughout his time in this league, Kevin Molino has been one of the most talented and explosive wingers in Major League Soccer, and he proved that not only throughout the 2020 regular season, but most recently when it mattered most, in the playoffs, on a team that was minutes away from an MLS Cup final,” Crew president and GM Tim Bezbatchenko said in a club statement. “Kevin will bring individual game-changing ability, with his smart and technical play, which will aid in our team chemistry with our other top quality attackers. Kevin has also consistently produced goals and assists – a critical asset from the wide position."
Molino has 32 goals and 27 assists in 104 MLS appearances between stints with Orlando City and Minnesota while battling injuries. He suffered ACL injuries to both knees, first in 2015 with the Lions and then with the Loons early in the 2018 season.
"We know that this offseason, Kevin was rightfully so in high demand domestically and abroad, and we are excited that one of the top players in MLS has chosen Columbus and the Crew Soccer Club as a club of choice as a free agent," Bezbatchenko said. "We look forward to the impact he will have, which we feel will be immense, as we compete for trophies in multiple competitions in 2021 and beyond.”
Molino has 20 goals in 48 appearances with the Trinidad & Tobago national team and was twice named USL Pro MVP before moving to MLS with Orlando.
The winger adds further quality and competition to an already strong attack. Molino joins Pedro Santos and Derrick Etienne Jr. as top options on the wing either side of 2020 MLS Newcomer of the Year Lucas Zelarayan.
