BY WILL KUHNS AND RIDGE MAHONEY One day after former U.S. and Revolution teammate Eric Wynalda declared his intent to leave MLS, John Harkes re-upped with the league. Harkes said Wednesday he has signed an MLS contract and will report to Columbus later this week. The Crew is traveling back today from a preseason training camp in Mexico. The veteran midfielder, who turned 35 last Friday, signed a one-year deal reported to be worth approximately $60,000. He was released by Columbus Jan. 15 after the team refused to pick up his option at a much greater salary. During the negotiating process, he did not report to the team. He said he’s been working out on his own and is anxious to return to the Crew. “All throughout this, even before negotiations started, the guys in Columbus were calling me, giving me updates, supporting me and that means a lot,” Harkes said Wednesday from his home in Fairfax, Va. “The MetroStars showed a lot of interest for a while and I was talking with D.C. United, but my main concern and focus was the Crew. If there had been a chance to come home and play in D.C., I would have considered it, but the timing isn’t right. Columbus has been a great situation for me — the organization is first-class, the fans are great and from May to the end of last season was unbelievable. We went unbeaten in 11 games and were unfortunate not to do better in the playoffs.” Harkes played 18 games (16 starts) for the Crew last season after being traded from New England. He had no goals and three assists. Prior to the deal being announced, Crew striker Brian McBride had said of Harkes, “He was an important player on our team last year and a big reason for our success. I hope something can be worked out because we definitely want him back.” Wynalda turned down a contract worth $43,000 and has agreed to play for Charleston in the A-League. He scored 10 goals for Chicago last year and was claimed on waivers by Los Angeles but refused to sign a new MLS contract.