Houston Dynamo FC sign forward Ezequiel Ponce from AEK Athens for club-record transfer fee at Shell Energy Stadium

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — After paying a club record transfer fee, Dynamo have brought Ezequiel Ponce to Shell Energy Stadium.

General manager Pat Onstad said the signing shows the club is serious about making another playoff run.

“We feel like we’re a point or two away from success, and you saw that group really come together toward the end of last year,” Onstad said. “You’ve got an experienced coach who also knows how to make sure we peak at the right time.”

Dynamo can now count on a proven goalscorer to strengthen their squad. Ponce, a 27-year-old Argentinian, has extensive international experience, having played in Spain, France, Russia and Greece.

He scored 16 goals in all competitions last season while playing for AEK Athens.

Onstad hails Ponce as “a forward who can lead the line and be aggressive, not just offensively but defensively as well.”

Despite a run of injuries that has the Dynamo sitting sixth in the conference standings, Onstad said the club’s leadership continues to look for ways to match or exceed last year’s run to the conference finals.

“How are we going to continue to improve?” he asked. “How are we going to continue to improve? How are we going to compete with the rest of the league?”

Ponce is expected to make his Dynamo debut on Saturday, July 20 against Vancouver. The Dynamo will host Real Salt Lake at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

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