The Vancouver Whitecaps have shaken things up early in the Major League Soccer season.

The team announced on Thursday afternoon the trade of striker Kekuta Manneh to the Columbus Crew in exchange for midfielder Tony Tchani and $300,000 in allocation money.

Tchani will officially join the roster once his work permit and international transfer certificate clear.

“We have acquired an experienced, athletic, box-to-box player in Tony, who will help solidify our midfield,” Whitecaps manager Carl Robinson said in a statement. “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."

A Cameroon international, Tchani is in his eighth MLS season and was in his fifth campaign with the Crew. He previously played for the New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC. The 27-year-old Tchani has 172 MLS matches to his name, notching 10 goals and 21 assists.

The 22-year-old Manneh was the fourth overall selection in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. A native of Bakau, Gambia, Manneh has tallied 22 goals and 12 assists in 101 regular season appearances with the Whitecaps.