TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
UPDATE, June 23 (7:15 pm ET) — D.C. United have signed Chilean winger Martín Rodríguez on a permanent transfer from Turkish Super Lig side Altay SK, the club announced Thursday.
Rodriguez, 27, joins via a contract using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM). He’ll be able to participate in club activities once the MLS Secondary Transfer Window begins on July 7. He will be eligible to make his debut on the Black-and-Red's Week 19 match at the Philadelphia Union on July 8.
“Martín is a dynamic attacking player in the prime of his career who we are excited to add to our roster to bolster our offense,” Dave Kasper, D.C. United president of soccer operations, said in a club release. “We’ve been monitoring Martín for some time, and he has performed at the highest level for both club and country.
“We are getting a proven attacker who has earned multiple caps with the Chilean National Team, and experience at top Liga MX clubs. We’re excited to add someone with his level of experience and ability, and we believe he will be an impact player for us from the start.”
Rodríguez's signing was announced on the same day D.C. United confirmed the departure of Designated Player midfielder Edison Flores, who completed a transfer to Liga MX side Atlas FC after three seasons with the Black-and-Red.
ORIGINAL, June 23 (9:26 am ET) — Attacking reinforcements are reportedly on the way, D.C. United fans.
The Black-and-Red have completed a deal for Chilean winger Martin Rodriguez from Turkish Süper Lig side Altay, according to Steven Goff of The Washington Post.
The news comes after Hamburger SV announced that midfielder Sonny Kittel will remain with the German club, despite reports of D.C. United holding advanced talks around him coming as a Designated Player.
Rodriguez, 27, has one goal across 12 appearances for Chile’s national team, last featuring in a September 2018 friendly vs. South Korea. He also competed for La Roja at the 2017 Confederations Cup.
Rodriguez has experienced a roundabout club career, joining Altay in 2021 and scoring three goals in 29 league appearances for them this past season. Beforehand, he played in 99 Liga MX games across Pumas, Cruz Azul, Mazatlán and Morelia, posting nine goals and 16 assists.
There are also Chilean stops on Rodriguez’s ledger after breaking through at Huachipato and recording two different stints at Colo-Colo, leading to three assists across 12 Copa Libertadores games.
D.C. United parted ways with head coach Hernan Losada in April and have been searching for an offensive spark. Their 17 goals scored are in the bottom third league-wide.
