COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Columbus Crew have signed forward Kei Kamara (KY’ Kuh-MAHR’-uh), who was drafted by the club and played his first two Major League Soccer seasons with the Crew.

He will join the team on Jan. 1, 2015, pending receipt of his transfer certificate.

Kamara, drafted with the ninth overall pick in the 2006 draft, was most recently with English Football League Championship side Middlesbrough. Before that he made 193 regular-season appearances in MLS, recording 52 goals and 23 assists.

In his eight years in MLS, he became one of the top 35 goal scorers in league history. He played in 19 matches, starting nine, with the Crew earlier in his career.

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