D.C. United have signed center back Brendan Hines-Ike on a permanent transfer from K.V. Kortrijk in the Belgian first division (Jupiler Pro League) following a successful one-year loan with the Black-and-Red in 2021. The American-born defender was signed to a two-year contract through 2023 with options in 2024 and 2025.
“Brendan settled into MLS quickly after signing on loan with us last year and we believe he will be instrumental to our success in Head Coach Hernán Losada’s system moving forward,” Dave Kasper, D.C. United President of Soccer Operations, said. “He’s an intuitive defender who reads the game well and can lead our attack out of the back with his range of passing. We’re looking forward to his contributions to the club in 2022 and beyond.”
Hines-Ike initially joined the Black-and-Red on a one-year loan from K.V. Kortrijk on March 8, 2021. The defender made his MLS debut in the 2-1 win against New York City FC in the opening match of the season on April 17 and scored his first MLS goal for the club in the 39th minute. In total, Hines-Ike scored one goal in 13 appearances (12 starts) in his first season. He sustained a hip injury in the 7-1 win against Toronto FC on July 3, keeping him sidelined until Oct. 27, when he made a substitute appearance in the 1-0 win against the New York Red Bulls at Audi Field. Hines-Ike started and played 90 minutes in the Black-and-Red’s 3-1 win against Toronto FC in the final match of the season on Nov. 7.
“Signing Brendan on a permanent transfer is the club’s first step in bolstering the roster ahead of the 2022 season,” Lucy Rushton, D.C. United General Manager, said. “He showed us last year that he has all the tools to be an integral center back in our system of play. We’re excited to sign him on through 2024 and believe that he will be a huge asset to our backline and club for the foreseeable future.”
Before joining the Black-and-Red in 2021, Hines-Ike spent the previous two seasons with K.V. Kortrijk in the Belgian first division. The Denver, Colorado native joined the Belgian side on July 26, 2018, from Örebro SK in the Swedish first division. Hines-Ike made his debut for K.V. Kortrijk two days after joining the side on July 28, 2018, in a 4-1 loss against RSC Anderlecht. He went on to score one goal and record three assists in 51 appearances across all competitions for K.V. Kortrijk. His first goal for the club came in a 3-2 win against Waasland-Beveren on April 2, 2019, in the Jupiler Pro League Playoff.
Hines-Ike started his professional career with Örebro SK in the Swedish first division (Allsvenskan) after signing a contract on Jan. 1, 2016. He made his debut for the side on April 3, 2016, in a 2-0 loss against Djurgardens IF in league play. In two years with Örebro SK, Hines-Ike scored four goals and recorded three assists in 70 appearances across all competitions. He scored his first professional goal on May 9, 2016, against Hammarby in a 3-2 win; his goal was a 69th minute game-winner in the match.
Before Hines-Ike turned professional, he played four years of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I soccer with Creighton University and the University of South Florida. Hines-Ike played his first three collegiate seasons with the Creighton Bluejays where he scored two goals in 50 appearances and helped Creighton reach the College Cup semifinals in 2012. In 2015, Hines-Ike transferred to the University of South Florida to play his final collegiate season. He scored two goals in 20 appearances for the South Florida Bulls.
Player: Brendan Hines-Ike
Position: Defender
Birthplace: Denver, Colorado
Country: United States
Birthdate: 11/30/1994
Age: 27
Height: 6’1"
Weight: 170
Previous Club: K.V. Kortrijk (Belgium)
Status: Domestic
Transaction: D.C. United Sign Defender Brendan Hines-Ike on a permanent transfer from K.V. Kortrijk on a two-year contract through 2023 with options in 2024 and 2025.
