Following this morning's release of roster updates, Columbus Crew SC President & General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko announced today that midfielder Federico Higuain will not be returning to the team in 2020.

"On behalf of our Club and our ownership group, I'd like to thank (Federico) for everything that he has been for this Club," said Bezbatchenko. "He is an absolute legend; he's respected from top to bottom in our organization."

Continued Bezbatchenko, "(Higuain) is always welcome here. We would certainly entertain him having a role in the front office, or among the coaching ranks. We believe we need to have former players involved in this club."

Higuain is one of 21 players in Major League Soccer and the only player in Club history to reach 50 goals and 50 assists, an accomplishment he reached on March 24, 2018 vs. D.C. United.

This year, Higuain recorded his 62nd career assist during a home match against the LA Galaxy (May 8), while also scoring the game-winning goal. With the assist, Higuain became the all-time assists leader for Crew SC.

Breaks the all-time assist record ✅

Scores the second goal of the game ✅



What's next, Pipa? #Crew96 | #CLBvLA | 2-0 pic.twitter.com/Hv2Gujz22C — Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) May 9, 2019

Higuain, who was the 2012 MLS Newcomer of the Year, holds the club record for game-winning assists with 20 and ranks third all-time in goals for the Club (55). Additionally, the Argentine is the only player to be named Team MVP three times (2013, 2014, 2017) and holds the most penalty kick goals for the Club (19).