Academy player Ku-DiPietro signs contract with Loudoun

Earlier today Loudoun United announced the return of eight players from last year’s inaugural roster would return in 2020; goalkeeper Colin Miller, defenders Peabo Doue and Robbie Dambrot, and forward Alioune Ndour. Midfielder Jeremy Garay and fullbacks Jacob Greene and Adam Lundegard return as Academy player contracts.

The remaining name is midfielder Ted Ku-DiPietro, who was signed to a professional contract with Loudoun as part of the group. After appearing with D.C. United’s Academy, Ku-DiPietro (who turns 18 on January 28), appeared in nine games for Loudoun, covering 506 minutes, registering a goal and assist. Greene appeared in 7 games and starting 6 while Garay (a verbal committal to the University of Virginia) registered an assist in five games while completing the highest % of passes on the team (93.2%, 280 passes). Lundegard’s Loudoun time was limited to a 45-minute half.

Miller was largely a second/third string goalkeeper for the squad and started in two games, appearing in three total. Dambrot and Ndour were late arrivals to the roster; Dambrot appeared in six matches (starting four) after being signed in August and Ndour did not appear until late September, scoring five goals and an assist in four October games en route to a Player of the Month nomination.

Doue appeared in 23 games (starting 20) and played 1,757 minutes, though suffered injuries during the year. Doue’s minutes were sixth-most for Loudoun players, though with Collin Verfurth and Connor Presley signing with the New England Revolution II today, Kyle Murphy signing with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Antonio Bustamante exploring pro offers elsewhere, Doue would appear to be primed for an elevated on-field leadership role in 2020.

More player signings, and the remainder of Loudoun’s roster are expected to be announced in the coming days.