D.C. United announced today the club has agreed to transfer goalkeeper Troy Perkins to Valerenga of the Norwegian first division. Perkins spent his entire Major League Soccer career with D.C. United after signing with the club as an undrafted discovery player in March of 2004. Per MLS and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"Troy developed into one of the top goalkeepers in MLS during the past four years and it is no surprise that his services are in demand overseas," said United General Manager Dave Kasper. "During his time at D.C. United, he worked extremely hard to earn his way from a pre-season trialist to MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. He is one of the poster boys for the MLS developmental system. We wish him the best of luck with his new club."
Perkins departs United after four full seasons with the club. All told, he saw time in 77 games (all starts) as a member of the Black-and-Red, serving as the team's number one goalkeeper during each of the last two seasons. His all-time record is 36-19-22 with a career goals-against average of 1.22. His 36 wins, 274 saves, 19 shutouts and 1.22 goals-against average all place him second in club history.
During last season, Perkins collected the most wins (16) in MLS , while his goals against average (1.10), saves (117), minutes played (2,610), save percentage (75.5) and shutouts (eight) were all among the top five in the League. He was named the August Player of the Month, after compiling a 5-0 record and 0.20 GAA. He also matched his career high with nine saves in D.C.'s 0-0 result with Chicago on 10/13.
Starting all but two matches during the 2006 season, Perkins led all MLS keepers in wins (15) and was tied for the second-most minutes on the pitch (2,700). He compiled a handful of the season's longest shutout streaks by holding opposing teams scoreless for 338, 247 and 243 minutes. He was also among league leaders in goals-against average (1.13) and shutouts (eight). Perkins was named as an MLS All-Star, to the MLS Best XI and as the 2006 MLS Panasonic Goalkeeper of the Year.
