David Ochoa completes trade to D.C. United from Real Salt Lake

90min

·30 July 2022

David Ochoa completes trade to D.C. United from Real Salt Lake

D.C. United have completed the signing of goalkeeper David Ochoa from Real Salt Lake in exchange for $75k General Allocation Money (GAM).

The Black and Red have picked up the remainder of Ochoa's contract, which expires at the end of the 2022 MLS season. Should he then pen a new deal for the 2023 campaign, RSL will receive an additional $300k GAM split over two years.

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If Ochoa is transferred outside of MLS during the 2022 season, RSL will receive $300k GAM in 2023, while they hold a 25% sell-on fee should D.C. United transfer him out of MLS permanently.

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“David is an extremely talented and competitive goalkeeper,” D.C. president of soccer operations Dave Kasper said in a club press release. “We believe he has the ability to make an immediate impact for us this season, and someone who we consider a viable option for us longer-term as we evaluate the goalkeeper position beyond 2022.”

Ochoa was a key part of RSL's run to the Western Conference final in last season's MLS Cup Playoffs but is yet to feature in league play in 2022, beginning the campaign listed as 'questionable' before claiming on social media in July that he was 'not allowed to train' with the team.

The Mexico youth international had been linked with European giants Manchester United, Barcelona, and Monaco as a third-choice option but should stand a much better chance of getting back onto the field with D.C. United.

“Everyone at RSL should thank David for his years of exceptional service at the Academy, for the Monarchs, and for the first team,” RSL general manager Elliot Fall said in a release. “David has been a critical figure in our postseason run last year, in the Monarchs 2019 USL title and throughout his youth career here. We wish him all the best at D.C. United and in his future endeavors, and we will always consider him part of the RSL family.”