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Vancouver Whitecaps trade Kekuta Manneh to Columbus for Tony Tchani

Columbus Crew SC acquired attacker Kekuta Manneh from the Vancouver Whitecaps on Thursday in exchange for midfielder Tony Tchani and allocation money in a major MLS trade.

The Whitecaps will receive $225,000 in targeted allocation money and $75,000 in general allocation money in the deal.

Manneh has scored 22 goals with 12 assists in 101 regular-season games since the Whitecaps selected him with the fourth pick in the 2013 draft. Injuries limited him to just 17 games last season.

The 22-year-old was born in the Gambia, but after residing across the border from Vancouver in Washington, he recently obtained United States citizenship and was called into the U.S. national team's training camp in January.

"We take pride in our identity as an attacking team, so we are excited to announce the addition of Kekuta Manneh, one of the most dynamic, young, offensive players in Major League Soccer and a new addition to the US Soccer national team program," Crew SC coach Gregg Berhalter said in a statement.

"Kekuta complements the existing corps of attacking players on our roster and we expect him to play an important role with the club this season."

Manneh is in the last year of his contract, and if he re-signs with Columbus after this season, Vancouver will also receive Crew SC's first-round pick in the next draft. The Whitecaps would also receive more allocation money if Manneh is traded within MLS -- or a portion of any transfer fee -- before the end of 2018.

Tchani scored eight goals with 18 assists in 130 appearances with Columbus since 2011. He played a key role in helping the club reach the 2015 MLS Cup final.

"We have acquired an experienced, athletic, box-to-box player in Tony, who will help solidify our midfield," Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson said. "Tony is someone I enjoyed working with during my time in New York and I'm excited to have him join our group.

"In addition, the allocation money provides further opportunity to strengthen our roster and depending on what's next for Kekuta, there is also the potential of additional returns."

Tchani played for the U.S. in one friendly in January 2016 before switching his allegiance to his native Cameroon.