Academy News

D.C. United signs Homegrown midfielder Collin Martin

Collin Martin

Collin Martin

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 150
Midfielder
Born: 11/9/1994
Age: 18
Birthplace: Chevy Chase, Md.
Previous Club: D.C. United Academy
Signed on July 10, 2013 as a Homegrown player.


D.C. United today announced that the club has signed 18-year-old Academy product and former Wake Forest player Collin Martin. The midfielder is the sixth Homegrown player in United’s history, joining 2010 MLS Rookie of the Year Andy Najar, goalkeeper and U.S. international Bill Hamid, midfielder/defender Conor Shanosky, defender Ethan White and United’s youngest and most recent Homegrown signing, forward Michael Seaton. Martin joined the Black-and-Red’s U-16 squad at 14-years-old and progressed through to the U-18s before featuring for the Demon Deacons at the collegiate level last year.


“Collin has worked very hard to get this opportunity, and we look forward to now having him take the next step in his career,” said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper.


“Collin is a creative and technical player who exhibits true playmaking qualities,” said D.C. United Director of Youth Development Sonny Silooy. “We have enjoyed watching his progression from the Academy to the First Team, and are very proud of his accomplishment.”


A native of Chevy Chase, Md., Martin first appeared for United’s U-16s during the 2009-10 U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) season. In his second season as a United U-16 player, Martin led the side in scoring with 13 goals, helping the U-16s finish atop its division in the 2010-11 USSDA campaign. Martin moved up to the Black-and-Red’s U-18 squad for the 2011-12 USSDA season, where he led his team in goals (11) yet again while also adding three assists. Martin continued to impress toward the conclusion of his tenure in D.C. United’s Academy, making appearances for the Black-and-Red in MLS Reserve League play.


Martin then went on to feature for Wake Forest University in 2012. The youngster logged big minutes (1,315) for the Demon Deacons as a freshman, featuring in all 20 games (15 starts) of Wake Forest’s 2012 NCAA season. The midfielder notched one goal and added six assists – a team-best – en route to an All-ACC Freshman Team selection.


Martin has also been called up to represent the United States at the U-14, U-15, U-17 and U-20 levels. Most recently, the midfielder was selected for the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team camp in Carson, Calif., and traveled with the squad for the Toulon Tournament in France from May 28 – June 8. The U.S. U-20s finished with one win from its four matches in the tournament, with Martin starting the side’s first game against France.