D.C. United Sign Homegrown Midfielder Jackson Hopkins to a U22 Initiative Contract Through June 2029 

D.C. United Sign Homegrown Midfielder Jackson Hopkins to a U22 Initiative Contract Through June 2029 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 27, 2026) - D.C. United has signed Homegrown Midfielder Jackson Hopkins to a U22 Initiative contract through June 2029. Hopkins will now occupy a U22 Initiative roster slot.  For more information regarding Major League Soccer’s U22 Initiative Players, please click HERE. 

“We are thrilled to reach an agreement with Jackson on a new deal. He has worked tirelessly to improve himself and we are excited for what's ahead for him in a D.C. United jersey.” said Dr. Erkut Sogut, D.C. United Managing Director of Soccer Operations. “This is another testament to the D.C. United Academy and the great history it has in developing talent in the DMV.” 

Hopkins joined D.C. United as the 18th Homegrown player in club history on April 13, 2022, from United Soccer League (USL) side Loudoun United FC.  The Fredericksburg, Va. native made his debut for the Black-and-Red on April 16, 2022, as a starter against Austin FC at Audi Field.  In Hopkins first season he appeared in 22 matches (12 starts) with one assist amassing 992 minutes at 18-years-old. His first goal for D.C. United came on Aug. 16, 2025, in a 1-1 draw against CF Montréal.  The midfielder would earn the captain armband later that month on Aug. 23, 2025, in a 1-1 draw against Inter Miami CF, becoming the youngest captain in club history.  Across five seasons with the Black-and-Red thus far, Hopkins has appeared in 87 matches (55 starts) scoring six goals and recording two assists across all competitions. 

The midfielder was part of the D.C. United Academy at the age of 14-years-old, working his way up the ranks and eventually making his professional debut on July 28, 2021, as an 82nd-minute substitute for Loudoun United FC against the Charleston Battery in the USL Championship. His first professional goal came on Sept. 30, 2021, in a 3-3 draw against New York Red Bulls II.  In three seasons with Loudoun, Hopkins appeared in 33 matches, scoring six goals and recording two assists across all competitions. 

Hopkins has represented the United States Youth National Team at the U20, U21, and U23 levels.  He made his debut for the U20 USYNT in the 2022 CONCACAF U20 Championship, helping them go undefeated in the tournament and defeating the Dominican Republic 6-0 in the final.  Most recently, Hopkins appeared for the U23 USYNT in two international friendlies, scoring in a 1-1 tie against Denmark.  

Jackson Hopkins 

Position: Midfielder 

Birthplace: Fredericksburg, VA 

Country: United States of America 

Birthdate: July 1, 2004 

Age: 21 

Height: 6’2” 

Weight: 163 lbs. 

Status: U22 Initiative  

Transaction: D.C. United has signed Homegrown Midfielder Jackson Hopkins to a U22 Initiative contract through June 2029.