D.C. United added the first of what’s sure to be a slew of midseason reinforcements, picking up former US youth international Jared Jeffrey off waivers on Wednesday afternoon. Per club and league policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We are pleased to add another quality young player to our squad in Jared Jeffrey,” said D.C. United general manager Dave Kasper in a club statement. “He is a technically gifted midfielder who has solid experience at various US youth national team levels and recently with Mainz. We look forward to his future contributions to our club.”
Jeffrey was acquired by United via the waiver wire after all MLS teams had declined to take part in a weighted lottery to secure his rights. The lottery is used to allocate returning US and Canadian youth internationals.
Most recently with German side Mainz of the Bundesliga, the 23-year-old made 87 total appearances (79 starts) with the club’s reserve squad from 2010-13, notching four goals in the process. The Parade Boys Soccer National High School Player of the Year in 2008, Jeffrey signed with Club Brugge (Belgium) at age 18.
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Jeffrey plays primarily as a deep-lying central midfielder, a spot currently occupied in D.C. by youngster Perry Kitchen and veteran John Thorrington. The numbers game could see Jeffrey get with United what he could never manage in Europe: first-team minutes.
Jeffrey’s youth national team resume is long and distinguished. During his three semesters in the US Under-17 men’s national team Residency Program, Jeffrey led all players with 39 caps, and captained both the U-17s and U-20s in the 2007 and 2009 World Cups, respectively. He also appeared alongside Kitchen and fellow United youngster Bill Hamid in the US U-23s' failed London Olympic qualifying campaign. Jeffrey started two of those matches, a 6-0 win over Cuba and a 2-0 loss to Canada.
Jeffrey will join the Black-and-Red roster on July 9, pending receipt of his International Trasnfer Certificate.
