News from Ecuador this morning links another name to D.C. United, one that isn’t as recognizable but fits more of a need. Christian Aleman is an attacking midfielder who turns 24 in February, and has spent the last four years with Guayaquil-based Barcelona SC, with a small loan stint at Estudiantes de La Plata in Argentina. It should be noted that Aleman would have been teammates with Lucas Rodriguez, who will be rejoining EDLP next week after Estudiantes and D.C. could not agree on purchase terms at the end of the loan.

Aleman had 7 goals and 3 assists in the 2019 Liga Pro season where Los Torreros finished second in the Ecuadorian Serie A, only to lose in the quarterfinals of the Liguilla. Aleman has experience at the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana levels and was targeted for a move to Independiente del Valle several days ago, but talks with D.C. appear to have advanced enough to make this move instead. Aleman is believed to be under contract until 2021 and the deal would appear to be for a loan rather than a buy.

So let’s look at the highlights: