Yasiel Puig, who defected from Cuba in 2012, became an American citizen on Wednesday.

"Thank you God for this great opportunity to be an American citizen," the Cleveland Indians outfielder wrote on Instagram.

A star on the Cuban national team, Puig made four attempts to defect from Cuba before being successfully transported out of the country by an alien-smuggling-and-boat-theft ring with links to the Mexican cartel Los Zetas.

Puig is the fourth member of the Indians to become an American citizen this year, joining Carlos Santana, Oliver Perez and Hanley Ramirez, who was waived in April.