The Columbus Crew announced today that it has acquired midfielder Tony Tchani from Toronto FC in exchange for defender Andy Iro and midfielder Leandre Griffit.
As a Generation adidas player, Tchani will not count against the Crew's salary cap this season. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed.
A 22-year-old native of Douala, Cameroon, Tchani was drafted by the New York Red Bulls in the first round (No. 2 overall) of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. In his first professional season, he appeared in 27 matches, starting 17, scoring a goal and adding three assists. Tchani made his MLS debut as a second half substitute in 1-0 win over Chicago on March 20, 2010 and his first MLS start in 4-0 loss to San Jose on May 8 of the same season. He recorded his first career MLS goal vs. the Crew on May 20 and his first career assist on a Rafa Marquez goal at Toronto on Aug. 21.
Tchani began the 2011 season in New York, appearing in two matches with one start, before being dealt to Toronto FC on April 1, as part of the trade that sent Dwayne DeRosario to New York. At Toronto he started in 13 matches, logging 1,032 minutes and scoring one goal - again against the Crew, on April 23, in the 1-1 draw at BMO Field.
"Tony is a very good young player who we have followed for a long time, and we are thrilled to have him," said Crew head coach Robert Warzycha. "He is a good passer, he's calm on the ball and he can get forward. He is going to help our team."
