Just a week after rejoining D.C. United on trial, midfielder Santino Quaranta has been signed by the team where he began his career seven years ago.
Quaranta, 23, becomes a member of United’s senior roster, where he is expected to make less than the six-figure salary he was earning before being waived by New York earlier this offseason.
The Baltimore-native was the then-youngest player ever signed when he joined Major League Soccer as a 16-year-old in 2001, and he had five goals and one assist that season. But the rest of his career was marked by fits and starts both on and off the field, and he was traded to Los Angeles in 2006, then to New York last season.
After a season-ending foot injury with the Red Bulls, Quaranta underwent surgery and began to turn his life around last fall. He said last week he was in the best shape of his life.
“Every aspect of my life is different, not just being a soccer player,” said Quaranta last week.
“We’re pleased to welcome Santino back to our club,” said United general manager Dave Kasper in a statement. “He’s very focused and fit, and we believe that he can contribute to the success of our team.”
