DC United sign former Columbus Crew defender Pedro Santos via free agency | OneFootball

DC United have signed defender Pedro Santos via free agency.

Santos joins the four-time MLS Cup champions on a two-year contract, keeping him at Audi Field through the 2024 season.

“Pedro is an experienced veteran and has been a top attacking talent in the league since 2017,” DC United president of soccer operations Dave Kasper said in a release. “He will provide us with important versatility and will give us some creativity and playmaking ability. We’re excited to integrate him into the team as we continue to rebuild ahead of the 2023 season."

Santos was on the lookout for a new club following the expiration of his contract with the Columbus Crew, where he won MLS Cup and Campeones Cup titles during his five-and-a-half-year spell at the club spanning over 170 games across all competitions.

The 34-year-old Portuguese player started out as an attacking wide player, who often drifted inside as a playmaker but, more recently, has enjoyed success as a left-back, contributing heavily for the Crew at both ends of the field.

Santos' arrival marks the latest step in Wayne Rooney's rebuild of DC United, who finished bottom of the overall standings in 2022 with just 27 points from 34 games.