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Columbus Crew SC

Columbus Crew SC Acquires Midfielder Dilly Duka

June 20, 2016 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS - Columbus Crew SC today announced that it has signed midfielder Dilly Duka (pronounced: DOO-kah) after acquiring his Right of First Refusal from the Montreal Impact. In exchange for the Right of First Refusal to Duka, Columbus sent General Allocation Money, Targeted Allocation Money and Crew SC's Second Round MLS SuperDraft pick in 2017 to the Impact. Duka will be officially added to the roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.

The midfielder returns to Columbus for his second stint with the club after he was originally selected by Crew SC eighth overall in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. Over his six-year MLS career, Duka has made 123 regular-season appearances (90 starts) with 11 goals and 13 assists. A native of Montville, New Jersey, Duka played three seasons for Columbus to begin his MLS career from 2010 - 2012, making 45 regular-season appearances (32 starts) for the club with two goals and five assists. Following his tenure with Crew SC, Duka played for both the Chicago Fire and the Montreal Impact. His best individual campaign came in 2013 for Chicago, when he notched four goals and three helpers.

"We are excited to welcome Dilly back to Columbus Crew SC," said Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. "Dilly is a dynamic, offensive player who can play a number of positions and we look forward to seeing him adapt to our style of play."

Internationally, Duka has made appearances for both the United States Under-23 and Under-20 National Team. His lone appearance with the U-23s came against Mexico on February 29, 2012. Duka appeared in all three of the Stars & Stripes' Group Stage matches in the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt, scoring one goal against Cameroon on September 29, 2009.

Prior to being drafted by Columbus, Duka played for Rutgers University, where he made 35 starts with 10 goals and five assists. He was named to the 2008 Big East Conference Second Team.

Columbus returns to action at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday, June 25 when it hosts the New York Red Bulls (7:30 p.m. ET / The CW Columbus, Time Warner Cable SportsChannel, BCSN2, CD102.5 FM, La Mega 103.1, English radio stream on ColumbusCrewSC.com).

TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew SC signed midfielder Dilly Duka on June 20, 2016 after acquiring his Right of First Refusal from the Montreal Impact in exchange for General Allocation Money, Targeted Allocation Money and Crew SC's Second Round 2017 MLS SuperDraft pick. Duka will be officially added to the roster pending receipt of his international Transfer Certificate.

Name: Dilly Duka (DOO-kah)

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 160

Born: September 15, 1989 in Montville, NJ

Hometown: Montville, NJ

Citizenship: United States

Acquired: Columbus Crew SC signed midfielder Dilly Duka on June 20, 2016 after acquiring his Right of First Refusal from the Montreal Impact in exchange for General Allocation Money, Targeted Allocation Money and Crew SC's Second Round 2017 MLS SuperDraft pick.

Previous Experience: Montreal Impact (2014-15), Chicago Fire (2013-14), Columbus Crew SC (2010-12)

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