D.C. United have acquired Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Felipe Martins in exchange for $75,000 of 2020 Targeted Allocated Money (TAM) and an International Roster Spot in 2020. Martins has a Green Card so will not occupy an International Roster Spot for the Black-and-Red.

“We are looking forward to adding more MLS experience to our midfield with the acquisition of Felipe,” Dave Kasper, D.C. United General Manager and VP of Soccer Operations, said. “We’re excited to add his ability to connect the game and break lines with his passing, as well as his competitiveness and bite."

This season, Martins has scored one goal in 18 appearances (13 starts, 1,143 minutes) for the Vancouver Whitecaps. He scored his lone goal of the season in the 2-1 win against FC Cincinnati on Aug. 3, 2019, at Nippert Stadium.

In eight MLS seasons, Martins has scored 24 goals, recorded 48 goals and created 315 chances in 240 appearances (223 starts). In 2015, Martins lifted the MLS Supporters’ Shield with the New York Red Bulls after playing in all 34 of their regular season fixtures.

Martins started his MLS career when he joined the Montreal Impact from FC Lugano on Dec. 21, 2011. He made his full MLS debut against the Vancouver Whitecaps on March 10, 2012 and scored his first career MLS goal on May 5, 2012 in the 2-0 win against Sporting KC. Martins spent three seasons with the Whitecaps (2012-2014), scoring 12 goals and recording 24 assists in 93 appearances. The midfielder helped the Impact win two Canadian Championships in 2013 and 2014.

The Brazilian was acquired by the New York Red Bulls on Jan. 27, 2015 and spent three seasons with D.C. United’s Atlantic Cup rival from 2015 to 2017. Martins scored 10 goals and recorded nine assists in 100 MLS Regular Season appearances. In 2015, Martins appeared in all 34 of New York’s Regular Season matches on the way to lifting the MLS Supporters’ Shield.

The eight-year MLS veteran was acquired by the Vancouver Whitecaps on March 2, 2018. Since joining his second Canadian MLS club, Martins has scored two goals and recorded two assists in 47 MLS Regular Season appearances.

Martins started his professional career with Italian side Calcio Padova and made five appearances in 2008. The 28-year-old moved to FC Winterthur in the Swiss top division and scored twice in 10 appearances. That same year, Martins moved to FC Lugano on July 1, 2009. In two seasons, he scored eight goals in 57 appearances for the Swiss side.

The following season, Martins was loaned to FC Wohlen in Switzerland on July 1, 2011. He scored three goals in 18 appearances before returning to FC Lugano. Martins was then acquired by the Montreal Impact on Dec. 21, 2011.

Player: Felipe Martins

Position: Midfield

Birthplace: Engenheiro Beltrão, Brazil

Country: Brazil

Birthdate: 9/30/1990

Age: 28

Height: 5’7”

Weight: 150

Previous Club: Vancouver Whitecaps

Status: Domestic (Green Card)

Transaction: D.C. United acquired midfielder Felipe Martins from the Vancouver Whitecaps in exchange for $75,000 of 2020 Targeted Allocated Money (TAM) and an International Roster Spot in 2019.