TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
UPDATED (Feb. 8) – D.C. United have signed Ecuador international forward Michael Estrada on loan for the 2022 MLS season from Liga MX side Toluca, the club announced Tuesday.
The Black-and-Red hold an option for Estrada’s permanent transfer after his loan is completed.
“Bolstering our attack has been a priority for us in the offseason and we’ve been closely monitoring the possibility of bringing Michael to the club,” president of soccer operations Dave Kasper said in a release. “He is a dangerous No. 9 who we believe will be a great addition to our attacking unit, and we’re excited to get him on loan for the 2022 season.”
The 25-year-old has 17 goals and six assists in 66 all-competition appearances for Toluca since joining from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle two years ago.
Internationally, Estrada has eight goals and five assists across 28 caps for the Ecuadorian national team. He’s an active part of their Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign in South America.
“We believe Michael has the quality to be a top goal scorer in our league. He’s a dynamic player who brings quality on the ball and an aerial presence and threat,” general manager Lucy Rushton said in a release. “His capacity to break lines with his pace and power, as well as his ability to drop-in and link-up play fits perfectly into our style of play and our profile for a player in this position.”
Estrada is D.C. United's second major attacking addition this winter after signing Greek international forward Taxiarchis Fountas as a Designated Player from Austria's Rapid Vienna. As of now, Fountas is scheduled to join in July.
ORIGINAL (Jan. 26) – D.C. United are pursuing a deal for Toluca forward Michael Estrada, according to South American transfer reporter Cesar Luis Merlo and The Washington Post's Steven Goff.
The 25-year-old Ecuadorian would reportedly join the Black-and-Red on a loan with a purchase option. Estrada has been with the Liga MX squad since a move from Ecuador's Independiente del Valle.
Estrada has scored 17 goals and added five assists for Toluca in 66 appearances. He's been capped 27 times and scored seven goals for Ecuador, a key part of the current Conmebol World Cup qualification cycle.
A chance to see regular first-team minutes would prove enticing for Estrada, who could prove a fit for Hernan Losada’s system at D.C. United.
The Black-and-Red have been busy of late, trading winger Paul Arriola to FC Dallas for $2 million in General Allocation Money up front, as well as a potential additional $300,000 GAM in performance-based incentives.
DCU have been linked with a summer move for would-be DP striker Taxiarchis Fountas from Austrian side Rapid Wien, and there were reports of forward Ola Kamara being shopped around.
