Sébastien Le Toux is heading back home.
The New York Red Bulls on Thursday announced they have traded the former Philadelphia icon and all-time leading scorer back to the Union in exchange for Costa Rican forward Josué Martínez and allocation money.
Le Toux was out of contract with the Red Bulls but, according to a report on Soccer By Ives earlier in the day, re-signed with the Red Bulls only to be traded hours later to the team where he made his name in MLS.
“We are happy to welcome Sébastien back to the club,” Union manager John Hackworth said in a statement. “His determination and heart are a perfect fit for the mentality of this team.”
The 28-year-old Frenchman scored 25 goals and registered 20 assists over the 2010 and 2011 seasons with Philadelphia, only to be traded to Vancouver before the 2012 season, the last year on his MLS contract at the time.
But he only netted four goals in 19 matches with the Whitecaps and in July 2012 he was shipped out to New York, where he also struggled to produce goals with a single tally in 14 matches.
“Sébastien indicated to us at the end of the season that he wanted to return to Philadelphia and we respected his request," Red Bulls sporting director Andy Roxburgh said in a club statement.
Costa Rican international Martínez did not fare much better than Le Toux did in New York, scoring a lone goal in 18 matches with Philadelphia. But the 22-year-old, who was in his first season in MLS in 2012, is considered by Roxburgh "a young player with potential."
A press conference to formally announce Le Toux in Philadelphia will be held on Friday at 10 am at PPL Park.
