D.C. United’s fourth Argentinian acquisition in three years made his first appearance in training on Tuesday.
Matias Donnet, a 26-year-old midfielder, has worked out an agreement with United, completing a move from one of Argentina’s most storied clubs, Boca Juniors.
Donnet follows Facundo Erpen and Lucio Filomeno, who were acquired last year, and Christian Gomez, who helped win an MLS Cup title after joining United in 2004. Filomeno has since returned to Argentina, but Erpen and Gomez are regulars in United’s first eleven.
Donnet scored a game-tying goal against AC Milan in the 2003 Intercontinental Cup, a game Boca Juniors eventually won in penalty kicks.
“He obviously has a pedigree. He’s played for one of the top clubs in the world, and has won championships and was a regular player in the first division,” said United technical director Dave Kasper. “The last couple years he’s been on the outs, it’s been a contract dispute with the club. He’s reached an agreement with the club to get out of his deal, and the timing couldn’t be any better for us.”
Donnet is a two-way player who can fit anywhere in the midfield butprefers the right side. He admitted he’s lacking match fitness, but will have time to get in shape while United awaits his international transfer certificate and completes the application process for his work permit. Donnet traveled with the team to today’s match against Red Bull New York.
“I was expecting to find a nice club with good teammates, a good locker room, and obviously that’s what I found on my first day,” said Donnet through an interpreter. “It was a good overall first training session with my new teammates so that’s what I was looking for, a new environment.”
