Confirmed: FC Cincinnati's Brandon Vazquez is a CF Monterrey player in Liga MX

Brandon Vazquez's transfer move from FC Cincinnati to Mexican powerhouse CF Monterrey was confirmed publicly by both clubs on Wednesday.

The $7.5 million move of Vazquez from Major League Soccer to Liga MX, the Mexican top flight of soccer, was described in an FC Cincinnati news release as a deal for "a multi-million dollar fee." The Enquirer previously confirmed the terms of the deal, which included up to $1 million in bonuses and a 10% sell-on agreement, meaning FCC would take 10% from Monterrey for the future sale of Vazquez's rights.

The confirmation of the deal by both clubs officially closed the book on Vazquez's four seasons in Cincinnati. He departed the club as its all-time leading scorer. Vazquez scored 42 goals in competitive matches, although FC Cincinnati credited him with 43 in its Wednesday news release and social media posts. The club added a goal from its 2022 Leagues Cup showcase match against Chivas Guadalajara to Vazquez's overall haul.

With or without the 43rd goal, Vazquez is still the club's all-time leading scorer across all competitions. He also represents arguably the greatest individual success and developmental story in FC Cincinnati lore.

"Cincinnati holds a special place in my heart,” Vazquez said in a team news release. “The best years of my career have been here, and I’ll cherish the memories I’ve had here forever. Having Cincinnati fans behind my back for the past four years have pushed me to be able to achieve what I have been able to do. Not only me, but the team, I know every single player feels the exact same way. This city is special, and I love it.

“Cincinnati, I have been so grateful for your support since day one. I just want to say thank you.”

Vazquez was acquired in November 2019 via a trade as part of Nashville SC's expansion draft. Then-FCC General Manager Gerard Nijkamp brought Vazquez in for $150,000 worth of Targeted Allocation Money, or "TAM." For that price, FC Cincinnati gained a player whose time at the club will age well, cementing him as one of FCC's early MLS legends down the road.

Vazquez played sparingly in 2020 and most of 2021 at FCC until a late-season surge in 2021 that carried into the start of 2022. The investment to acquire Vazquez truly came good during his breakout 2022 season as he scored a joint-team-leading 18 goals alongside Brenner Souza da Silva, who transferred to Udinese of Italy's top-flight from FC Cincinnati this past summer.

More: FC Cincinnati close to adding goal-scorer Corey Baird

More: Here's everything you need to know about FC Cincinnati's preseason schedule

Combined, Vazquez and Brenner brought FCC at least $17.5 million over the last two transfer windows. In between Vazquez's and Brenner's outbound moves, Cincinnati held onto Vazquez as the club ascended to MLS Cup frontrunner.

Vazquez signed a contract extension in 2022, received a healthy raise, and remained committed to helping the club win its first major trophy, which it did in 2023, FC Cincinnati pledged to support Vazquez in his pursuits of playing in Europe, as long as there were legitimate offers to acquire him. In the end, the best offer came from Mexico and Monterrey, one of the heaviest hitters in the CONCACAF region, which includes North and Central America, and the Caribbean.

Vazquez had numerous suitors, and was reportedly pitched on joining top-tier German club Borussia Monchengladbach during the 2023 MLS season, but Monterrey out-bid all other interested parties. The $7.5 million transfer fee is thought to be a premium price for the player.

With weeks to spare in the 2023 regular season, FC Cincinnati won the Supporters Shield, its first major trophy. Along the way in 2023, Vazquez scored 17 goals for FCC across all competitions. His eight goals in regular-season play disappointed but he excelled in cup play, scoring in two semifinals among other big moments.

Clearly, Vazquez held up his end of the bargain at FCC. It was then as close to a forgone conclusion as possible the club would fulfill its end of the bargain and attempt to help move Vazquez to a new opportunity after the 2023 season.

Vazquez also debuted for the U.S. men's national team in 2023. A dual-citizen with eligibility to play for Mexico, Vazquez made his senior national team debut for the USMNT and scored four times for the country. He played a starring role in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which included a goal against Canada in the quarterfinal round at TQL Stadium on July 9.

It's possible FC Cincinnati will see Vazquez again relatively soon. FCC and Monterrey would meet in CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 play if both clubs advanced from their respective first-round matchups against Cavalier FC (Jamaica) and Comunicaciones (Guatemala).

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: FC Cincinnati's Brandon Vazquez is officially a CF Monterrey player