WASHINGTON - D.C. United announced today the signing of Argentine defender Facundo Erpen. Erpen joins United after spending the last five seasons playing with Argentine Second Division Club Atletico Talleres de Cordoba. Erpen, 22, will become United's second Youth International player and will be available for selection when he receives his international transfer certificate, following the opening of the MLS transfer window on August 15. Per League and team policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"We are pleased to have concluded a deal to bring Facundo Erpen to D.C. United," said United Technical Director Dave Kasper. "He is a young player with a significant amount of ability and playing experience in Argentina. We look forward to his bright future with our club and to his impact in MLS."
Erpen began his career at Club Juventud Unida de Entre Rios before spending some time with the youth teams of First Division power Boca Juniors in 1999-2000. He joined Talleres de Cordoba in the 2000 season and had been a staple in Talleres' backline for the past five years.
The 6'0'', 165 lb. defender was instrumental in helping Talleres gain promotion to the prestigious Argentine First Division in 2002. That same year, Erpen made his debut with Talleres in the First Division. Overall, he appeared in 58 First Division matches and tallied four goals.
Erpen is the second player from Argentina signed by United in the last year, joining All-Star midfielder Christian Gomez, who was signed by the club in August 2004.
