MLS D.C. United

D.C. United Sign Panamanian Forward José Fajardo from Club Atlético Independiente

August 3, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


WASHINGTON, D.C. - D.C. United have signed Panamanian National Team forward José Fajardo from Club Atlético Independiente in the Panama first division pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). The Black-and-Red have signed the forward through 2023 with options in 2024 and 2025.

"José is an experienced forward with great attacking intuition and finishing ability. He had an impressive Gold Cup with the Panama National Team this summer, after scoring twice in the tournament," Dave Kasper, D.C. United President of Soccer Operations, said. "We are looking forward to welcoming him to the team and bolstering our attacking core."

Fajardo joins the Black-and-Red after spending the last two seasons with Peruvian first division side Cusco FC. He signed on loan with Cusco FC on Jan. 1, 2022 from Panamanian side CA Independiente and helped the Peruvian side gain promotion to Liga 1 in his first season. The Panamanian forward made his debut with Cusco FC on April 3, 2022, in a 1-0 loss to CD Unión Comercio of Liga 2, Peru's second division. Fajardo scored his first goal and a brace for the club on May 22, 2022, in a 2-1 league win over Santos FC Nazca. He would finish the 2022 season as Liga 2's top goal scorer with 14 goals and helped Cusco FC win the Liga 2 Championship. Over two seasons, Fajardo appeared in 37 matches for Cusco FC, scoring 20 goals and recording four assists.

The 29-year-old forward started his professional career in Panama playing for CA Independiente and signed his first professional contract with the club in 2018. Fajardo made his professional debut on May 4, 2018, in the first leg of the Panamanian Clausura Playoffs in a 1-0 loss to San Francisco FC. He scored his first goals for the club the following match on May 12, 2018, scoring a brace in a 3-1 win. Fajardo would win two Panamanian Clausura Championships with CA Independiente before going on loan in 2021. He spent the 2021 season on loan at Ecuadorian side AD Nueve de Octubre, where he scored 12 goals and recorded four assists in 28 appearances. Over three seasons, Fajardo made 30 appearances for CA Independiente and scored 12 goals.

The forward represents Panama at the international level and made his national team debut on Oct. 24, 2017 in a 5-0 win over Grenada in an International Friendly. Fajardo scored his first goal for Panama on Nov. 16, 2020 in a 6-2 international friendly loss to the United States, scoring both of Panama's goals. He represented Panama at the 2019 and 2023 Gold Cups and was a part of their World Cup qualification squads in 2021 and 2022. Fajardo helped Panama secure second place in the 2023 Gold Cup with two goals and one assist in five games. In total, Fajardo has appeared in 32 matches for Panama, scoring six goals, and recording two assists.

Player: José Fajardo

Position: Forward

Birthplace: Colón

Country: Panama

Birthdate: 08/18/1993

Age: 29

Height: 5'11''

Weight: 150 lbs

Status: International

Transaction: D.C. United have signed Panamanian National Team forward José Fajardo from Club Atlético Independiente in the Panama first division pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). The Black-and-Red have signed the forward through 2023 with options in 2024 and 2025.

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