TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Transfer
The Houston Dynamo have transferred winger Alberth Elis to Portuguese club Boavista, the club announced on Monday. The terms of the deal were not disclosed but the Dynamo said that in addition to the transfer fee received, they will also retain a future sell-on percentage along with performance-based add-on incentives as a part of the transaction.
Elis, 24, has been a mainstay with the Dynamo since joining in 2017. The Designated Player had 34 goals and 27 assists over 88 appearances (71 starts), including four goals and three assists in just six matches this season before departing. Elis's contract was set to expire at the end of the season.
"All of us at the club would like to wish Alberth nothing but the best as he takes on this next step in his career to pursue his dream of playing in Europe," said Dynamo Senior Vice President and General Manager Matt Jordan in a team release. "We are very proud to have brought Alberth here as a young player and helped him develop and grow to take on this next challenge. Alberth has earned this opportunity through his commitment and performances on the field, having helped the club reach a Western Conference Final and win an U.S. Open Cup along the way. He will go down as one of the best players in the history of our club and we wish him well as he joins Boavista."
Extratime: What's Houston's ceiling without Elis?
Boavista finished 12th last season in the Portuguese top flight and recently acquired US national team fullback Reggie Cannon from FC Dallas.
Elis was one of the most feared wingers in MLS on his day, with a frightening combination of technical ability and pace. He was often the subject of European interest, including from the likes of Fenerbahce, Anderlecht and plenty others over the years. He originally joined the Dynamo from Liga MX powerhouse CF Monterrey and began his career at CD Olimpia. The Honduran international has 10 goals in 42 caps with his country.
“First, I want to thank the fans for their support at every game over these last four years," Elis said. "You made this feel like home and I will always carry that with me. We have celebrated a lot of goals, winning the Open Cup, and you made those moments special. To the staff, you played a large role in preparing me for the next chapter of my career and I am eternally grateful for your confidence in me. This is a dream come true and I wouldn’t be here today without the Dynamo. Hopefully, I can come back in the future. I’m excited to see what this team will accomplish under Tab and his staff. Again, thank you Houston.”
The Dynamo have enjoyed a positive start to the Tab Ramos era, with the club delivering encouraging performances and picking up points along the way. New attacker Darwin Quintero has settled immediately in Houston after joining from Minnesota United, while former LA Galaxy academy product Ariel Lassiter recently joined the attack from Costa Rican club Alajuelense.
Highlights: Alberth Elis in MLS
