A report yesterday from Jaime Vega, a journalist in Bolivia, claims that D.C. United has come to terms with Bruno Miranda, a forward playing at Universidad de Chile. A second report this morning in Bolivia has Miranda’s agent claiming the deal is essentially done, with an 18-month contract allegedly agreed. Per the agent, the only remaining step is that United would have to make additional moves in order to accommodate Miranda’s addition to the roster when the secondary transfer window opens July 10. The move apparently also has the blessing of Bolivia’s national team coach Mauricio Soria.
Miranda, 19, has appeared with the Bolivian national team at both the youth and first team levels, with 3 senior team caps, most recently a June friendly with Nicaragua, and played in a pre-Copa America Centenario friendly against the United States in 2016. Born in Santa Cruz de la Sierra (home of former DCU greats Marco Etcheverry and Jaime Moreno), he spent time with Callejas in the Bolivian Premier League before his move to Universidad in 2015. His first team time with the U has been limited, spending most of his time with their U-19 squad before making his first team debut in March of 2016, the youngest international player in Chilean club football to make his debut. A forward who also plays on the wings, Miranda has 3 first team appearances to date and is apparently attracting interest from other teams, including Bolivian side The Strongest.
If confirmed, this could possibly be the end of Jose Ortiz loan with the Black-and-Red after arriving on loan from Herediano in Costa Rica’s first division this spring. United has a free international roster spot at the moment, but it seems safe to suspect that more moves are coming. We say if, because it’s not the first time a player’s agent has said D.C. United wants a player only for said claim to quickly dissipate.
(UPDATE 7/3 11:15am): Miranda’s agent has said that Miranda is leaving South America in the next few hours to sign a contract.
(UPDATE 7/3 6:30pm): Chile’s La Tercera reports that the contract is an 18-month loan with an option to buy, and Goal Argentina says restrictions on foreigners in the Chilean league also helped precipitate the move.
Of course there’s a highlight reel: