The Houston Dynamo have signed Mexico national team forward Erick "Cubo" Torres as a Designated Player.
The Dynamo signed Torres after an agreement was reached by Major League Soccer to secure his rights from Mexican club Chivas de Guadalajara. Per club and league policy, financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
As part of the transfer agreement, Torres will spend up to six months on loan with Chivas de Guadalajara for the 2015 Liga MX Torneo Clausura, which begins Jan. 9.
Torres scored 15 goals in 29 games in 2014, a Chivas USA club record for a single season. The 21-year-old joined Chivas USA on loan from Guadalajara in July 2013 and scored 22 goals in 44 appearances in one and ahalf seasons, the most goals by a Mexican-born player in MLS history.
"I'm extremely excited to be joining the Houston Dynamo. It's one of the premier clubs in MLS and a place where I really wanted to sign," Torres said. "I can't wait to join my teammates in Houston and continue their success on the field. I'd like to thank Lino Dicuollo of MLS, my agents Richard Motzkin and Rodrigo Morales of Wasserman, and Dynamo president Chris Canetti in making this deal happen."
The striker made his Mexico national team debut in September against Bolivia and scored his first goal for El Tri against Panama a monthlater. Torres featured for Mexico youth national teams at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels before breaking into the senior team this year. At 18, he was the youngest member of the squad at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup as Mexico finished in third place. Torres appeared in seven games and scored one goal.
"This is a monumental signing. We are thrilled to welcome Cubo to the Dynamo," Dynamo president Chris Canetti said. "He strengthens our team and brings excitement to our fan base. He is a dynamic player that will be fun to watch and an excellent young man that will be a great ambassador in our community."
