The Houston Dynamo Football Club completed the transfer of forward Mauro Manotas to Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente in Mexico, the Club announced today. In addition to the transfer fee received, the Dynamo will also retain a future sell-on percentage along with performance-based add-on incentives as a part of the transaction. Additional details of the transfer will not be disclosed per Club policy.
“Mauro came to the Dynamo as a teenager and leaves having scored over sixty goals for the club. He’s been a key contributor in important moments and helped lead the Club to a championship during his time in Houston. It’s been rewarding to see him develop and grow over the years,” said Senior Vice President and General Manager Matt Jordan. “Mauro will go down as one of the best players in the history of our club and we wish him and his family well with this next step with Club Tijuana.”
Manotas scored 64 goals for the Club across all competitions, the second-most in Club history. The forward scored two goals in the 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, 10 goals in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play and 52 goals in Major League Soccer. His 10 goals in Open Cup play are the most in Club history.
“I am eternally grateful for the belief and support this Club made to help me grow as a person and as a player since I joined the team,” Manotas said. “I will miss you, Houston. This has been my home for the last five years and we have so many memories tied to this beautiful city. My family and I are now preparing for our next journey and we will take all of these memories with us. There are so many teammates, friends and staff to thank, I am grateful for them and for the fans who make this Club so special.”
The Sabanalarga, Colombia native earned back-to-back Young Player of the Year honors in his first two seasons with Houston. Manotas scored six goals in the final two months of the regular season in 2016 to earn a share of the Club scoring title. The forward finished the 2017 season with 10 goals in league play and helped the Dynamo secure a spot in the Western Conference Championship after he scored an iconic game-winning goal against the Portland Timbers in the conference semifinals at Providence Park.
The striker set the club record for most goals scored in a calendar year and most goals in an MLS season after finishing with 25 and 19, respectively, in 2018. Manotas earned club Most Valuable Player and Players’ Player of the Year honors following his record-breaking season in 2018. The Colombian forward followed up with 13 goals and eight assists in 2019, becoming the first player in Club history to score 10 or more goals in three consecutive seasons.
Manotas finished with three goals and two assists in 2020 and scored his 51st goal for the club in league play on Nov. 8 against the Colorado Rapids. That goal gave him sole possession of second place in the Club record book. The forward also scored two goals for Rio Grande Valley FC in four matches from April 24, 2016 to May 14, 2016.
Manotas joined the Dynamo as a 19-year-old on May 13, 2015 after scoring six goals in 32 appearances across all competitions with Uniautónoma in Colombia's First Division. He also represented the Colombian Under-20 National Team in the CONMEBOL U-20 World Cup qualification tournament, scoring a critical goal against Brazil in the competition.
Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente competes in Liga BBVA MX and reached the final of the Copa MX last month. The club was founded in 2006 and claimed their first league title during the Apertura 2012 season.
TRANSACTION: Houston Dynamo Football Club reach agreement with Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente in Mexico for the full transfer of forward Mauro Manotas.
