D.C. United have announced that former Black-and-Red midfielder Yamil Asad, currently a free agent, has signed a pre-contract with United ahead of the 2020 season.

“We are excited to finalize a deal to bring Yamil back to the District. He was an integral attacking piece for us during the 2018 season and we look forward to reintegrating him into the team in 2020,” Dave Kasper, D.C. United General Manager and VP of Soccer Operations, said. “Yamil has a high soccer IQ and is a great producer of goals and assists while bringing a winning mentality every time he steps on the field.”

Asad was initially acquired by D.C. United on loan from Club Atletico Vélez Sarsfield in the Argentine first division (Superliga Argentina) on Feb. 13, 2018. The Argentine midfielder was an important part of United’s success in 2018 after scoring nine goals and recording eight assists in 30 MLS appearances. Asad made D.C. United history when he scored the first goal at the Black-and-Red’s new stadium, Audi Field, on July 14, 2018. After an impressive year, Asad returned to his parent club at the conclusion of the 2018 season.

After returning to Argentina, Asad featured once as a 70th-minute substitute in a 4-0 victory against Club Atlético Lanús on April 6, 2019. Asad is a product of the youth academy for Vélez Sarsfield and signed his first professional contract on July 1, 2012. He made his professional debut for the club as a substitute on April 14, 2013 against CA Colón in the Torneo Final and scored his first goal on Feb. 22, 2015 in a 2-1 win against Crucero. In total, Asad has scored five goals and recorded four assists in 56 appearances for the Argentine club.

Asad was acquired on loan by Atlanta United on Jan. 10, 2017 and excelled in his MLS debut year, scoring seven goals (fourth top scorer on the team) and recording 13 assists in 32 regular season appearances. He was the third most featured player on the roster for the 2017 expansion team that scored the second-most regular-season goals in MLS that year. Asad was a creative linchpin for Atlanta’s strong offense and led the team with 13 assists in 2017. The Argentine midfielder led Atlanta with 58 chances created, one more than Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player Finalist Miguel Almirón (57).

He is the son of former Vélez Sarsfield player Omar Asad who scored the game-winner in the 2-0 win against AC Milan in the 1994 Intercontinental Cup. His father won eight Argentina Primera División titles and one Copa Libertadores during an eight-year career. Omar Asad has coached and managed multiple teams in Argentina (Club Deportivo Godoy Cruz, San Lorenzo de Almagro, Club Sportivo Estudiantes), Mexico (Club Atlas) and Ecuador (C.S. Emelec) since he retired as a player in 2000.

Player: Yamil Asad

Position: Midfield/Forward

Birthplace: San Antonio de Padua, Argentina

Country: Argentina

Birthdate: 07/27/1994

Age: 25

Height: 5’10"

Weight: 170

Previous Club: Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield

Status: International

Transaction: D.C. United sign midfielder Yamil Asad to a pre-contract for the 2020 season.