D.C. United have acquired MLS veteran Carlos Ruiz through the league's allocation process, the club announced Wednesday.
The team did not provide any more details about the acquisition, which was made through the mechanism that allows clubs to sign US internationals and former MLS players that have left for a transfer fee.
Though United's strong 2012 finish placed them near the bottom of the allocation order, TheWashington Post's Steven Goff reports that all teams ahead of D.C. in the allocation ranking passed on the Guatemalan international. A D.C. spokesperson later confirmed the report.
Ruiz enjoyed his most successful stint in the league between 2002 and 2008, featuring for the LA Galaxy, FC Dallas and Toronto FC. He claimed the Golden Boot in 2002 with a 24-goal haul, and was also named the regular-season and MLS Cup MVP as he helped lead the Galaxy to their first-ever title.
After spells in Paraguay, Mexico and Greece, Ruiz returned to the league in 2011 with the Philadelphia Union, scoring six goals in 14 appearances before being transferred mid-season to Mexico's Veracruz. The 33-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Veracruz last winter.
In addition to his strong MLS pedigree, Ruiz has been a force for his country on the international stage, topping Guatemala's all-time scoring charts with 55 goals in 104 appearances.
Ruiz is set to join United in Florida on Thursday, where the team is currently training and participating in the Disney Pro Soccer Classic.
