CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. — D.C. United’s pursuit of Leonardo Jara to become its starting right back received an instrumental boost from a figure familiar to both parties: United’s Luciano Acosta.
Acosta, Jara said Wednesday, helped persuade him to agree to a deal in which he will join United on a season-long loan from Argentine titan Boca Juniors. Weeks in the making, United formally announced the move Wednesday. Details were not announced, but typically, teams have the option to acquire the player for the long term when the loan expires.
Asked how much Acosta influenced the decision, Jara said through an interpreter: “A lot.