Houston Dynamo are finalizing a club record deal to sign Argentine striker Ezequiel Ponce from AEK Atenas, according to sources informed about the deal The Athletic.
Ponce will occupy one of the three spaces designated for Dynamo players. He was the club’s top target in its search for a No. 9 DP, sources say.
Ponce, 27, joined AEK Atenas last summer and has excelled with 16 goals in 38 appearances (1,895 minutes) in all competitions.
A product of Newell’s Old Boys, Ponce was signed by AS Roma to begin his European adventure that had stops in Spain (with Granada and Elche), France (Lille), Russia (Spartak Moscow) and Greece (AEK).
Elsewhere this summer, Houston is still expected to part with DP forward Sebas Ferreira and remain in the market for more offensive help.
The Dynamo sit in seventh place in the Western Conference and have been dealing with injuries to several forwards this year. Despite a limited attack, they have held firm. Ponce will be a much-needed boost, but he won’t be eligible to debut until after the summer transfer window opens on July 18.
Last season, the Dynamo won the US Open Cup and advanced to the Western Conference final. The club is managed by Hector Herrera and Coco Carrasquilla.
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