Houston Dynamo Acquire Argentine Striker Ezequiel Ponce in Record Transfer Deal
The Houston Dynamo secured Argentine striker Ezequiel Ponce on Monday for a club-record transfer fee. While the exact amount was not disclosed by Houston, multiple reports suggested the MLS club paid $8 million to Greece’s AEK Athens. This surpasses the previous record of $4.5 million paid for forward Sebastian Ferreira in 2022. Ponce, 27, signed a contract running through June 2027, with options for December 2027 and 2028.
Ponce has scored 65 goals in 247 career matches across six top-flight leagues in South America and Europe. He will occupy a designated player spot in Houston, which is currently tied for the fewest goals (20) in the Western Conference.
“We conducted a thorough global search for a new starting striker, and Ezequiel was our top target,” said Dynamo general manager Pat Onstad. “He has experience scoring in top competitions worldwide, fits well with our game model, and his character and professionalism are exceptional.
“Most importantly, Ezequiel and his family were eager to join Houston and be a significant part of our project,” Onstad added. “He impressed us throughout our evaluation process. We are excited to welcome Ezequiel, Martina, and their young family to Houston and look forward to achieving great things together.”
Ponce has played professionally since 2014 in Argentina (Newell’s Old Boys), Italy (Roma), Spain (Granada and Elche), France (Lille), Greece (AEK Athens), and Russia (Spartak Moscow).
