D.C. United’s pivot to 2018 continues with a flurry of expected moves today, one of which is the acquisition of a defensive midfielder from Europe. This defensive midfielder, however, is a young American coming back to the United States: Steve Goff is hearing that former US U-20 international Russell Canouse will be coming to D.C. United from Germany. Canouse’s move to MLS has also been making the rounds in the German press this morning, so it seems like it is happening.
Getting word D.C. United is about to acquie American DMF @RussellCanouse.
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) August 8, 2017
Age: 22.
Club: Hoffenheim (loan to Bochum).#dcu #mls
#meinVfL: Auch #Canouse wird #Bochum verlassen. Der Mittelfeldspieler wechselt in die USA.
— Dominik Hamers (@DoHamers) August 8, 2017
Canouse plays for VfL Bochum of the 2.Bundesliga, on loan from Hoffenheim, for whom he had 8 starts and 20 appearances in 2016-2017. While he primarily plays central midfield, both defensive and box-to-box, he has also seen some time at right back. While not the franchise-altering signing that we all want to happen, this looks like a good pickup as the team tries to get younger and prepare its options for 2018.
There will be more news throughout the rest of the day, the evening, and tomorrow, so I at least will be saving my full thoughts on how all these pieces fit in until the transfer window slams shut.