D.C. United on Thursday announced the first two significant signings of the year, making Greek forward Taxiarchis Fountas its highest-paid player and trading with the Seattle Sounders for wing back Brad Smith.
The club is also angling to acquire Ecuadoran national team forward Michael Estrada from Mexican club Toluca, two people close to the process said. If a deal is struck, United would take him on loan and have an option for a permanent transfer at the end of the year for $5 million.
The moves come amid a sudden flurry of activity four weeks before the MLS opener against Charlotte FC.