Luciano Emilio has rejoined D.C. United on a three-month contract following a brief stay at Brazilian club Rio Branco de Americana, it was announced on Wednesday.
“Over the past several months, we’ve been in constant communication with Luciano regarding his playing future and have reached an agreement that provides United a proven MLS goalscorer at terms that take into consideration both parties’ plans for the future," United's general manager Dave Kasper said in a statement.
Watch: The best of Emilio
The 31-year-old Brazilian forward had been with D.C. United over the past three seasons, and led the club in scoring in each of those campaigns. In 2007 he helped United earn the Supporters' Shield and was named both league MVP and Newcomer of the Year after scoring a league-high 20 goals. He added 21 league goals over the next two seasons.
Emilio became D.C.'s first Designated Player in 2008, but he left the club at the end of 2009 after rejecting a new contract.
The contract signed Wednesday includes a club-held option that could allow him to stay beyond the end of July, though club technical director Chad Ashton is reportedly in South America looking to acquire a forward for when the MLS transfer window reopens in the summer.
