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Report: Columbus Crew SC, DC United battle to sign young Cruz Azul forward

Santiago Gimenez celebration with Cruz Azul

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Report


D.C. United and Columbus Crew SC have yet to meet on the field in the 2020 season, but reportedly the Eastern Conference foes are battling to sign a young Cruz Azul striker.


Multiple reports out of Mexico link 19-year-old Santiago Gimenez to a potential MLS move with ESPN show Jorge Ramos y Su Banda claiming Crew SC already have an offer on the table.

Gimenez, the son of former Cruz Azul and Pachuca great Christian “El Chaco” Giménez, is under contract with La Máquina through June 2021. He has come up through the Cruz Azul youth system and made 14 appearances in all competitions with the senior team since his debut against Tigres UANL August 3, 2017.


Gimenez made nine appearances, including seven starts, in the most recent Clausura season, scoring in back-to-back games against Toluca and Pachuca in February.


The Argentine-born forward has played for multiple Mexican youth national teams, including the U-23 squad. “Chaquito” was part of Jaime Lozano’s 20-man squad ahead of the since postponed Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship.