Reports: Leonardo Jara to D.C. United loan move is a done deal

Cesar Merlo of TyC Sports in Argentina reports (along with several other Argentine press outlets) that D.C. United’s pursuit of Leonardo Jara is complete. The deal is apparently an 18-month loan, with an option to buy set at $2 million.

Jara played with Luciano Acosta while the latter was on loan at Estudiantes de La Plata and again at Boca, and was apparently recommended to Dave Kasper by Acosta. That would make it two former teammates joining Acosta in MLS (Lucas Rodriguez, who played with United’s playmaker at Estudiantes, being the other). Jara would be a presumed starter at right back immediately, with Akeem Ward, Chris Odoi-Atsem (once given the all clear following chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma) and possibly Jalen Robinson in the discussion at the position.

Of minor note: were D.C. to buy Jara’s rights from Boca, they might not own his contract outright. Boca purchased 50% of Jara’s rights in 2016 for $1.1 million, with an option for an additional 30% at $750,000. Whether that 30% is in part of what United would be getting remains to be seen, but if not, a potential full purchase could go north of $3.5 million and trigger an additional $250,000 bonus to EDLP.

The reports also say Jara will come to D.C. today for a medical and to finalize the deal, as players report to RFK Stadium for the beginning of preseason on Monday.