D.C. United announced today that the club has signed English midfielder Lewis Neal. The 30-year old joins United after playing the 2011 season with USL Pro side Orlando City, helping the first-year club win the league’s championship. Neal will be available for selection following receipt of his visa.
“Lewis will provide us solid cover for us at a number of positions,” said United General Manager Dave Kasper. “We look forward to his future contributions to the club.”
Neal made his professional debut with Stoke City FC in December 2000, making his way up through the club’s youth ranks. He made 70 appearances and scored two goals for Stoke between 2000 and 2005. While at Stoke, Neal spent a brief period on loan at Icelandic side IBV, where he tallied a goal in five matches.
In 2005, Neal was traded to Preston North End FC, where he would score 5 goals in 65 matches between 2005 and 2009. Neal was loaned to Notts County in 2008, playing four matches for the Nottingham based club. Following his time at Preston North End, Neal joined Carlisle United on loan, going on to score two goals in 16 matches.
In 2009, Neal signed with Shrewsbury Town FC and made 31 appearances for the Football League 2 side, tallying two goals between 2009 and 2011. In January 2011, Neal moved to the United States to join Orlando City, where he played in 21 matches and scored four goals.
Name: Lewis Neal
Height: 5’11’’
Weight: 155
Jersey: 24
Position: Midfielder
Birthdate: July 14, 1981
Age: 30
Hometown: Leicester, England
Previous Club: Orlando City (USL Pro)
Acquired: Signed on March 13, 2012
