Josef Martínez signs with Columbus Crew after Club Tijuana stint Venezuelan striker Josef Martínez, former Club Tijuana player, has signed with the Columbus Crew on a contract through 2026 with an option for the 2027 season. The club announced the deal on Thursday, highlighting the player's experience and production. Martínez, 33, joined Club Tijuana after a season with the San José Earthquakes. In his MLS career, he has scored 130 goals in 214 games, ranking sixth in the league's all-time scoring list.

What does this mean for Club Tijuana? Martínez's departure leaves a gap in Club Tijuana's attack, which currently sits second in Liga MX with 7 points from 3 games (2 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses). The team has remained unbeaten in their last 5 matches (3W-2D-0L), including a 0-0 draw against Atlético San Luis on August 1.

What's next for Martínez and the Columbus Crew? Martínez joins a Columbus Crew looking to climb the Eastern Conference standings, where they currently sit 11th with 20 points from 18 games. The striker will bring experience and leadership to the team, especially after the loss of Wessam Abou Ali to an ACL injury. Club Tijuana's next match is against Cruz Azul on August 17 at home, where they will look to maintain their positive streak.