We're about to officialy announce that we've re-acquired goalkeeper Troy Perkins. One of the best goalkeeper in United's history, Troy spent two seasons as the team's unquestioned starter (2006 & 2007) and four total seasons in DC (2004-07). He became the first player in United history to win the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2006. The 28-year old spent the previous two years as the starter for Norway's Valerenga, helping the first division side to Norweigan Football Cup title in his very first season.
Said Troy of coming back to United:
“Since my wife and I have been discussing this, we’ve had a lot of excitement about coming back to DC. To be able to raise a family in the states and to be back in the black and red – it’s more than just a feeling. It’s something deep in the heart and the soul. D.C. United is where things began and where I belong.”
Acquiring Troy did not come without a price, as the team sent Fred, its first round pick in tomorrow's SuperDraft and allocation money to the Union in order to swap places in the allocation order to acquire the goalkeeper.
As you well know, United had been in a position of uncertainy between the pipes. Josh Wicks, who started the bulk of games in 2009, is out until at least mid-March after shoulder surgery and likely will not be available for the season-opener, while United's other two goalkeepers are both lacking major experience - Milos Kocic completed a solid campaign with a handful of starts during his rookie season and Bill Hamid was signed from the club's youth academy midway through the '09 season.
More to come.
UPDATE: Full press release here with quotes from Onalfo and Kasper.
