MLS
Done deal: Héctor Herrera set to join Houston Dynamo in the summer
The Mexican international will arrive as a free agent from Atlético Madrid to Major League Soccer to join the Dynamo as a designated player.
It has been rumored for weeks and now it has been confirmed by Houston Dynamo. Héctor Herrera will join the Major League Soccer side in the summer and he will arrive as a free agent. The Mexican international has a pre-contract with the Dynamo through the 2024 campaign with an option for 2025.
Herrera will arrive as a designated player to the MLS side on 1 July and he is pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa. Last week the 31-year-old stated that he was not happy with Atlético Madrid for the lack of minutes he has played this campaign with the LaLiga side and the club had no intention of extending his stay.
Houston welcomes Herrera
“On behalf of the City of Houston and our loyal, passionate soccer fans, I’m honored to welcome Héctor Herrera to Houston Dynamo Football Club,” majority owner Ted Segal said. “General Manager Pat Onstad and I have focused on identifying a difference maker for our club and Hector’s talents make him a perfect fit.
“As important, through this signing process I was heartened to hear Héctor’s commitment to our club and the city of Houston, and I look forward to him becoming part of our community very soon. This is a momentous day for our club, the city and our league to add a player of Héctor’s quality and pedigree.
“He embodies the new ambition that Ted has brought to our club,” said Dynamo general manager Pat Onstad. “And while Héctor was attracted to our sporting project, he was even more motivated to be a champion for this city. He chose Houston and we couldn’t be happier to have him.”
Herrera has made 20 appearances across all competitions and played for a total of 743 minutes so far this season with Atlético. The Mexican international arrived in 2019 at the LaLiga side, but never earned a spot in the starting XI. Atlético’s manager Diego Simeone has used him mainly as a late substitute and he wants a more prominent role.
Currently Atlético are making a push to win some silverware this campaign and they are still competing for the Champions League and LaLiga titles. Last year, Herrera played a more significant role in helping Atlético win the 2020/21 season title and prior to his move to Spain, won three domestic trophies with Porto between 2013 and 2018.