Higuain will need about six weeks of fitness work before playing competitively, one person familiar with the player said.

Club officials said they did not want to comment.

Higuain was injured in May, and the Crew did not re-sign him over the winter. With his career winding down, a person close to the talks said, the Argentine is willing to accept a salary of around $100,000 — a fraction of his $1.1 million salary in 2019. He also would be paid for the coaching position.

AD

AD

United sees him as a role player and spot starter, particularly when others are away on national team assignments. The D.C. attack took a hit at training camp when Paul Arriola tore his right ACL, sidelining him for up to nine months.

Higuain is the fourth notable attacking addition following the arrival of Edison Flores, Julian Gressel and Yamil Asad.

After last season, United lost Wayne Rooney (Derby County), Luciano Acosta (Atlas) and Lucas Rodríguez (Estudiantes).

With the season starting Saturday against the Colorado Rapids at Audi Field, United still has several roster openings. Team officials have said they are seeking another attacker and at least two defenders. The transfer and trade window will remain open until May 5.

AD

In recent weeks, Higuain (pronounced EE-gwa-EEN) met with team officials and underwent a physical exam. He was in the bleachers last Wednesday at United’s preseason match against Nashville SC in Clearwater, Fla.

AD

Higuain had 55 goals and 63 assists in eight seasons with the Crew. He was MLS’s 2012 newcomer of the year after arriving from Argentine club Colon.

In 2015, he guided Columbus to the MLS Cup final and enjoyed his most productive season two years later with nine goals and 14 assists in 26 matches.

This past offseason, the Crew decided to cut ties.

“He’s an absolute legend,” Crew General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko said at the time. “From my time in the league, it was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make personally.”

AD

Higuain’s younger brother is Gonzalo Higuain, a Juventus and Argentine national team forward who has starred with Real Madrid, Napoli, AC Milan and Chelsea.