Washington, D.C. --
D.C. United announced today the signing of midfielder/forward Santino Quaranta. The Baltimore, MD native played for United from 2001-06, and returns after stints with the LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls. Per club and League policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"We're pleased to welcome Santino back to our club," said United General Manager Dave Kasper. "He's very focused and fit, and we believe that he can contribute to the success of our team."
Quaranta began his professional career with the Black-and-Red, as the eighth overall pick in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft. At the time, the sixteen-year-old phenom was the youngest player to sign into Major League Soccer. He immediately excelled in the League, netting five goals and one assist in just 16 games (10 starts) during the 2001 season. Quaranta started all eleven games he played in during the 2002 season, scoring three goals and adding four assists, but missed almost two-thirds of the season with injuries. He played in 12 games (eight starts) of the 2003 campaign, one in 2004, then netted five goals and five assists in 18 games played (13 starts) during the 2005 campaign. Quaranta made four appearances for the Black-and-Red in 2006 before being traded to Los Angeles in exchange for a partial allocation and a conditional pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.
In his very first game with the Galaxy, Quaranta entered as a substitute and scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Houston. He posted two more goals with the Galaxy in 2006. On June 30, 2007 the Galaxy traded Quaranta to the New York Red Bulls, getting a conditional fourth round pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft in return. He was waived by the Red Bulls on January 3, 2008.
Quaranta has represented the United States at all levels of international play. He starred with the U-17 and U-20 teams, and played in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. After coming back from injuries, Quaranta received his first cap for the senior team on July 7, 2005 in a Gold Cup match against Cuba, and converted a penalty kick in the United States' shootout victory over Panama in the Gold Cup championship game. In all, he has nine appearances (three starts) with the full U.S. Men's National Team.
Player vitals:
Name: Santino Quaranta
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185
Jersey: 25
Date of Birth: 10-14-1984
Age: 23
Place of Birth: Baltimore, MD
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Citizenship: American
Last Club: New York Red Bulls
Acquired: Signed on March 6, 2008
Status: Senior Roster
