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D.C. United continued a busy few days, announcing the loan acquisition of Venezuela under-20 national team forward Jovanny Bolivar. The 19-year-old, who scored his first professional goal just over a year ago, joins from Venezuelan league champions Deportivo La Guaira. United stated that the one-year loan does include a permanent transfer clause.
“Jovanny is a young and talented forward who we believe has the tools to succeed in MLS,” United GM Dave Kasper said in a team press release. “At 19 years old, he already has professional experience in the Venezuelan first division and has also represented the Venezuelan Youth National Team. This is a move that shows our continued commitment to bringing in young players with a high ceiling for success. We’re excited to add him to the roster ahead of the 2021 MLS season.”
Bolivar scored 3 goals in 560 minutes this past season, and added one more during the 2019 season (in which he made his pro debut). He most recently scored twice in four games for the Venezuela u20s at the Copa Santa Lucia, a Venezuelan tournament in which the under-20 national team faces several first- and second-division teams.
Adding Bolivar brings United up to 27 players under contract. It also officially puts United over their allotment of international roster spots; at the moment United has seven internationals (Bolivar, Yamil Asad, Edison Flores, Ola Kamara, Yordy Reyna, Kimarni Smith, and Erik Sorga) and only six spots. With a rumored pursuit of Nigel Robertha still possible, it seems likely that United will have more news coming soon, whether that’s a trade for international spots or an announcement that existing players have acquired US residency or citizenship.
Bolivar is the second La Guaira player to join the United organization in the last month. In February, Loudoun United announced that winger Darluis Paz had joined the club for the USL Championship season, again on a one-year loan with purchase option.