D.C. United has made the rumored acquisition of Lucas Rodriguez, first reported by Black and Red United here and here, official. Per MLS policy, terms of the loan were not made available, though the loan fee is believed to be between $450,000-$700,000, and the purchase option is somewhere in the $2.5-3 million range. In addition, D.C. United sent $50,000 in General Allocation Money for his MLS discovery rights to Atlanta United.
In a team press release, Dave Kasper, D.C. United general manager and vice president of soccer operations, had this to say about the team’s new man:
“We are excited to add a player of Lucas’ pedigree and experience to our roster ahead of the 2019 season. At 21, he has been a consistent starter at the top level of Argentine soccer over the last three seasons and has both Copa Liberatadores and U-20 World Cup experience with Argentina. Lucas can play any of the attacking positions centrally and in wide areas, and has all the qualities to succeed in Major League Soccer. We are looking forward to welcoming Lucas to the team and having him represent the Black-and-Red.”
Rodriguez, nicknamed “Titi,” turns 22 at the end of April, and his contract with EDLP ends in June 2020. With talk of Paul Arriola going to right back more consistently and D.C. planning on keeping Yamil Asad, Rodriguez appears to be destined to see time as a right winger in Ben Olsen’s 4231, but he has played centrally and on the left for Estudiantes since breaking into the first team a couple of years ago.
Bienvenido Titi!