Gold Cup standout joining DC United

The influx of strikers continues, this time, DC United gets reinforcements. 

For the second time this week, DC United is bringing in a Panama international. José Fajardo, 29, is joining DC United for an undisclosed fee according to reports out of Peru.

Fajardo has spent the past year and a half with Peruvian club Cusco FC. The striker helped Cusco to promotion in 2022, scoring 14 goals in 20 appearances. In Peru’s top flight, Fajardo has remained a key figure and managed to score six times as the league reaches its halfway mark.

Well-traveled, Fajardo has spent time across South and Central America. Even managing a loan spell in Saudi Arabia.

Fajardo began his career in his native Panama with Independiente. Prolific in both the 2018 Clausura and Apertura editions of the Panamanian Football League, Fajardo led both with 13 and 15 goals, respectively.

The striker has not managed the same impact, spending periods of time on loan in Saudi Arabia and Colombia. Finally, the 29-year-old moved to Ecuador in 2021, only for a season, before landing in Peru.

Across his nomadic journey, Fajardo has remained in the Panama national team since 2017 and has recently found his best form for his country. Fajardo was crucial to Panama’s run to the 2023 Gold Cup Final. Starting five of six matches, the forward was deployed on the wing, notching two goals and an assist.

In Panama’s 1-0 loss to Mexico in the final, Fajardo’s influence was obvious as he was key to three of Panama’s best attacks.

Likely a depth piece behind Designated Player Christian Benteke, Fajardo could quickly prove a shrewd piece of business. He’s scored wherever he’s gone and has shown tactical flexibility as evidenced by a fantastic Gold Cup.