Havana, Cuba (CNN) Officials with Major League Baseball and the Cuban Baseball Federation said Wednesday they had reached a deal that would allow Cuban citizens to play in the United States and return home in the offseason.

For the first time Cuban players would not be forced to defect to play in the major leagues. The agreement would allow the Cuban government to claim a fee from the MLB team that hires a player.

After years of criticizing the MLB for poaching some of their best players, Cuban baseball federation officials said Wednesday they were proud of the new partnership.

"It's a historic day and we have to be happy," Cuban Baseball Federation President Higinio Velez said at a news conference at Havana's famed Latin American Stadium.

Velez said the millions generated from the deal would help rejuvenate baseball in Cuba, which was been hurt by an exodus of players and a lack of resources.

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