Steven Goff reports that D.C. United has signed United States U-23 goalkeeper Charlie Horton, after acquiring his rights from the New England Revolution. Horton had last been at England side Leeds United before leaving in November, citing a private family matter, but anticipated resuming his career in MLS.
Trade details have yet to be announced and would likely be considered minimal, though Horton's domestic status gave him a leg up on Benjamin Kirsten, who impressed in D.C.'s first preseason game in Tampa against the NASL Tampa Bay Rowdies.
This puts the goalkeeping depth in D.C. at a somewhat intriguing perspective. Horton's addition to the roster would presumably leave Travis Worra's 2016 future as a Richmond Kickers keeper unaffected. However, when starting keeper Bill Hamid returns to the roster, there may be an interesting fight for second between Horton and Andrew Dykstra. The two are comparable size-wise, though Horton is almost a decade younger and would almost certainly have a bigger upside than Dykstra, if national team caps (albeit at a U-23 level) are of any advantage, particularly if Hamid makes the much-expected jump to Europe anytime soon.
So while it's something to not fret about immediately, it will be worth noting the closer Hamid gets to full fitness.