TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Signing
D.C. United have acquired goalkeeper David Ousted via a trade with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Monday afternoon's announcement formalized the move, following reports from ESPN and the Washington Post, the latter including confirmation of the deal from D.C. general manager Dave Kasper.
“Since his arrival in the US, David has proven to be one of the elite goalkeepers in MLS,” Kasper said in a statement provided by the team. “He has it all in terms of commanding his box, organizing the group in front of him, and making the saves that change games. We are excited to have his veteran experience in the locker room and on the field this season and beyond.”
The trade was originally mooted around Christmas, but ESPN reports that the 32-year-old Dane on Sunday night agreed to terms on a two-year contract with United that also includes a club option for 2020, and pays him an annual wage of around $500,000, just under the league’s Designated Player threshold.
In exchange for Ousted's rights, D.C. sent Vancouver their second round pick (26th overall) in the upcoming 2018 MLS SuperDraft. Per the conditions of the agreement, should Ousted be traded to another MLS team prior to the 2018 roster freeze, the Whitecaps would receive $100,000 in General Allocation Money. The Whitecaps will also retain 50 per cent of any future transfer fees.
A finalist for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2015, Ousted has made 144 MLS appearances in his career, with 432 saves and a 1.29 goals-against average.
The longtime Whitecaps standout lost his starting job to Stefan Marinovic during the 2017 season and had his 2018 contract option declined by the club, but Vancouver retained his rights and will receive D.C.'s second-round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft later this month.
Ousted becomes the third goalkeeper on D.C.'s 2018 roster, joining Steve Clark and Travis Worra. Ousted and Clark are expected to compete for the Black-and-Red’s starting job in the wake of longtime incumbent Bill Hamid’s departure to Danish side Midtjylland at the close of the 2017 campaign.
