Nick DeLeon’s seven-year tenure with D.C. United — the longest continuous service on the club’s 2018 roster — officially ended Friday when he was selected by Toronto FC in the MLS reentry draft.
Concerned about the long-term effects of DeLeon’s 2018 knee injury, United had declined his contract option last month and sought to sign him to a new deal. DeLeon declined that offer and entered the reentry process.
By selecting him in the first stage of the draft, Toronto is obligated to pay him the option-year salary. That figure has not been disclosed, but he earned a base salary of $275,000 this year and was due a raise.