Transfer Tracker

DC United select Ethan Dobbelaere in End-of-Year Waivers

Ethan Dobellaere - Seattle to DC - transfer

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing

D.C. United have selected midfielder Ethan DobbelaereĀ from the End-of-Year-Waiver List, the club announced Friday.

Dobbelaere made 19 appearances (six starts) in three-plus seasons for Seattle Sounders FC after signing a homegrown player deal midway through 2020. Dobbelaere has also featured regularly for Tacoma Defiance in MLS NEXT Pro and represented the United States at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Seattle declined his contract option earlier this month.

"Ethan is a versatile player who can play either in the midfield or as a defender," Ally Mackay, D.C. United's general manager and chief soccer officer, said in a release.

"He has a great understanding of the game and still has a high ceiling for development at just 21 years old. He will add important depth to our roster ahead of 2024 and weā€™re excited to integrate him with the squad in preseason."

Dobbelaere joins as D.C. United refresh their roster for 2024. They're searching for a new head coach, too, after mutually parting ways with Wayne Rooney following a 12th-place Eastern Conference finish in 2023.

The Black-and-Red last qualified for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in 2019.