DC United Breaks Transfer Record with Luis Montanu Signing
Plus: Kurokawa arrives, Schnegg and Baji waived, and the case for a 3-5-2
DC United has made their biggest splash of the offseason—literally. Luis Montanu is officially a DC United player, and the club paid a record transfer fee to make it happen.
Club Record: $7 Million (and Counting)
DC United shelled out $7 million for the Romanian striker, with performance incentives that could push the total to $10 million. That eclipses the presumed fee for Christian Benteke and makes Montanu the most expensive signing in club history.
The 23-year-old won the Golden Boot in the Romanian Liga I with CFR Cluj, scoring 23 goals. Celtic and French clubs were tracking him, but behavioral issues and Cluj’s sky-high initial asking price (reportedly $17 million) scared off suitors. When Cluj’s financial situation became desperate, DC swooped in.
What Kind of Player Is He?
Finding English-language Romanian soccer coverage is nearly impossible, but from what film is available: Montanu drifts left, looks to connect with teammates, drops back to receive the ball, and is absolutely a finisher. If he and Tai Baribo develop chemistry, DC could have something.
The comparisons to Erik Sorga are inevitable, but let’s be clear—the Romanian league sits higher in the UEFA coefficient rankings than Scotland. This isn’t Estonia. Montanu has legitimate talent. Whether it translates to MLS is the question every DC United fan is asking.
Kurokawa Signed, Schnegg Waived
Keisuke Kurokawa is officially the starting left back after DC waived David Schnegg. Why move on from Schnegg? The numbers tell the story.
Schnegg was solid defensively—98th percentile in blocks, 80th in clearances. But his shot-creating actions? Just 38th percentile. Aaron Herrera, even in a down year, was 92nd percentile in shot-creating actions.
This front office wants chance creation from the wingbacks. That’s why Kurokawa is here and Schnegg is not.
The 3-5-2 Is Coming
Look at the roster construction: five centerbacks, two forwards signed as DPs, wingbacks who create chances. The evidence points to a 3-5-2 formation with Herrera and Kurokawa bombing forward.
The glaring hole? Midfield. There’s still no elite chance-creating #10, and that’s the position that will determine whether Montanu and Baribo feast or starve.
Want the full deep dive? We break down every roster spot, the cap implications of the Schnegg/Baji waivers, where DC stands on international slots, and whether they’ll use that third DP slot before the season starts.
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