DC United Signs Veteran Forward Dominique BadjiDC United Signs Veteran Forward Dominique Badji On July 4, 2024, Major League Soccer (MLS) club DC United announced the signing of free agent forward Dominique Badji. Badji, who previously played for Bandirmaspor in the Turkish Second Division, joins the Black-and-Red on a two-year contract through 2026 with an option for 2027. According to DC United General Manager and Chief Soccer Officer Ally Mackay, Badji brings a wealth of experience and elite pace to the team. He is expected to enhance the team’s attacking capabilities and create more goal-scoring opportunities. Career Highlights Badji began his MLS career in 2015 with the Colorado Rapids after being drafted in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. He has since played for FC Dallas, Nashville SC, and FC Cincinnati. In 217 MLS games, he has scored 43 goals and provided 23 assists. During his time with FC Cincinnati in 2023, Badji made 31 appearances and contributed five goals and nine assists, helping the team reach the semi-finals of both the US Open Cup and MLS Cup Playoffs. Early Life and College Career Badji was born in Dakar, Senegal, and played college soccer for Boston University. He was named the America East Rookie of the Year in 2011 and the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year in 2014.
July 4, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
DC United Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC – DC United has signed free agent forward Dominique Badji, pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Badji, who most recently played for Bandirmaspor in the Turkish Second Division, has signed a two-year contract through 2026 with an option for 2027.
“We are excited to add an MLS veteran to our attacking core,” said Ally Mackay, DC United General Manager and Chief Soccer Officer. “Dom is an attacker with elite pace and reads the game well to put himself in good scoring positions. Dominique will add another dimension when he gets forward and will ultimately help create more chances for us in the final third. We are excited to integrate him into the squad and welcome him back to the DMV.”
Badji joins the Black-and-Red after spending the 2024 season with Bandirmaspor in Turkey’s second division. He signed for the Turkish club on 18 January 2024, after two seasons with FC Cincinnati. Badji made his Bandirmaspor debut on 28 January 2024 in a 6–0 league win over Giresunspor. He scored his first goal for the club on 3 April 2024 in a 6–0 league win over Altay SK. Badji scored one goal in eight appearances in all competitions for Bandirmaspor before signing for DC United.
Prior to signing with Bandirmaspor, the Senegal native played 11 seasons in Major League Soccer for Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, Nashville SC and most recently FC Cincinnati during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Badji made 31 appearances for FC Cincinnati across all competitions in 2023, scoring five goals and providing nine assists en route to the semi-finals of both the US Open Cup and MLS Cup Playoffs. In two seasons, the forward made 57 appearances, scoring five goals and providing nine assists in all competitions for FC Cincinnati.
Badji began his career with Colorado Rapids after being selected with the 67th overall pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. He made his professional debut on 7 March 2015 in a 0–0 draw against the Philadelphia Union. Badji would score his first goal the following month on 10 April 2015 in a 4–0 league win over FC Dallas. He would spend four seasons with Colorado before being traded to FC Dallas on 23 July 2018. Badji appeared in 41 matches across all competitions, scoring nine goals and recording five assists in two seasons with FC Dallas from 2018–19. The Senegalese forward then signed with Nashville SC in 2020, where he appeared in 17 matches, scoring one goal and recording two assists. Badji would then return to the Colorado Rapids in 2021 to help them reach the quarter-finals of the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs. In five seasons with Colorado, Badji has appeared in 116 games, scoring 31 goals and providing 11 assists in all competitions. Since his MLS debut in 2015, Badji has played in 217 MLS games, scoring 43 goals and providing 23 assists in over 12,866 minutes played.
Badji was born in Dakar, Senegal before moving to the United States. He played four years of college soccer for Boston University in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). In four seasons, Badji appeared in 69 games (64 starts) for the Terriers, scoring 22 goals and adding nine assists en route to winning the 2011 America East Rookie of the Year Award and the 2014 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Award.
Dominique Badji
Position: Forward
Place of Birth: Dakar, Senegal
Country: Senegal
Date of birth: 16-10-1992
Age: 31
Height: 1.85 m
Weight: 170
Status: Domestic
Transaction: DC United have signed free agent forward Dominique Badji, pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Badji, who most recently played for Bandirmaspor in the Turkish second division, has signed a two-year contract through 2026 with an option for 2027.
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