Walter Restrepo will set up goals for the Tampa Bay Rowdies. (Photo courtesy of the Cosmos)

NEW YORK – Walter Restrepo is a former Cosmos.

The two-time defending North American Soccer League champions announced Thursday the club has reached an agreement with the Tampa Bay Rowdies to release the veteran midfielder.

“We are happy to help Walter transition to a new challenge,” Cosmos head coach and sporting director Giovanni Savarese said. “We fully support his decision and wish him the best moving forward.”

An expert crosser of the ball from the left side, Restrepo joined the Cosmos in January 2015, starting 24 out of 29 games in the regular season that year. He recorded three goals and five assists, helping the Cosmos win Soccer Bowl. In 2016, Restrepo joined Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer.

The San Diego native re-signed with the Cosmos this January. He recorded two goals and two assists in 13 appearances in the spring season.

“Although I had a solid spring season with the Cosmos, my family and I decided it was best for us to make a move,” Restrepo said in a statement. “I thank the entire Cosmos organization for their support and understanding and I look forward to this new chapter in my career with Tampa Bay.”

The Rowdies play in the United Soccer League.

Restrepo played for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and San Antonio Scorpions. He was named to the NASL Best XI in 2012 and 2014.

The Cosmos will return to MCU Park in Coney Island to open the fall season against Miami FC on Saturday, July 29 at 7 p.m.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.