Jeff Parke Height: 6' 1"

Weight: 185 lbs

Position: Defender

Born: 3/23/1982

Hometown: Ablington, Pa

Acquired: Obtained in a trade from the Philadelphia Union on January 14, 2014

D.C. United today announced that the club has traded homegrown defender Ethan White and the top spot in the allocation ranking to the Philadelphia Union for defender Jeff Parke and the number six spot in the allocation order.

“It was a priority for us this off-season to shore up our defense. In Jeff, we have acquired a starting veteran centerback who instantly upgrades our back line,” said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper. “Jeff has over 200 starts in MLS, and at 31, has many years to contribute to our team at a high level.”

“We would like to thank Ethan for his contribution on and off the field to our club,” said Kasper. “It has been a pleasure watching him develop in our Academy and first team, and we wish him the best of luck in the future.”

Parke began his professional career with the then-New York Metro Stars after being selected with the 60th pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft. During his five seasons in New York, the defender became one of the stalwarts on the backline featuring in 132 games over that span and leading the team to the MLS Cup finals in 2008. Later that year, the Seattle Sounders selected Parke in the MLS Expansion Draft, and in his three seasons he led the squad to three playoff appearances and helped the club win two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup’s (2010, 2011). Last season he featured with the Philadelphia Union where he started and appeared in 31 games with one assist. Over his MLS career, he has appeared in 241 games (234 starts) and recorded two goals and six assists.

A Maryland native, White was the Black-and-Red’s fourth Homegrown signing after joining the team on January 14, 2010. The defender was a standout for United’s U-18 Academy side before playing for the University of Maryland for two seasons. At College Park, he was named to the All-ACC Freshman Team in his first year and All-ACC Second Team after his sophomore campaign. In his first year with United the young defender played in 24 games (21 starts) while recording one goal. Over the last t two seasons he featured in 14 games (13 starts) and helped the team capture the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.