Washington, DC (Feb. 8, 2022) - D.C. United have signed Ecuadorian forward Michael Estrada on a season-long loan from Liga MX (Mexico) side Deportivo Toluca FC pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). The Black-and-Red will have an option for a permanent transfer for Estrada following the conclusion of his loan at the end of the 2022 Major League Soccer (MLS) season.
“Bolstering our attack has been a priority for us in the offseason and we’ve been closely monitoring the possibility of bringing Michael to the club,” Dave Kasper, D.C. United President of Soccer Operations, said. “He is a dangerous #9 who we believe will be a great addition to our attacking unit, and we’re excited to get him on loan for the 2022 season.”
Estrada joins D.C. United after spending the previous two seasons with Deportivo Toluca. He signed with the Mexican club from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle on Jan. 1, 2020. Since arriving in LigaMX, the 25-year-old has scored 17 goals and recorded six assists in 66 appearances across all competitions for Toluca. His first goal for the club was in the win against Atlas F.C. in the Copa MX on Jan. 29, 2020. In the 2021-’22 season, Estrada appeared in 16 games for Toluca. His final appearance for the club was in the 2-1 loss against Club Universidad Nacional on Nov. 22, 2021.
“We believe Michael has the quality to be a top goal scorer in our league. He’s a dynamic player who brings quality on the ball and an aerial presence and threat,” Lucy Rushton, D.C. United General Manager, said. “His capacity to break lines with his pace and power, as well as his ability to drop-in and link-up play fits perfectly into our style of play and our profile for a player in this position.”
On the international stage, Estrada has been a constant for the Ecuadorian National Team since making his debut against Peru in World Cup Qualifying on Sept. 5, 2017. In 28 caps, Estrada has scored eight goals and recorded five assists. In his most recent appearance for the Ecuador National Team, Estrada scored the opening goal in a 1-1 draw in a World Cup Qualifier against Peru on Feb. 1, 2022.
Estrada made his professional debut for Ecuadorian Serie A side, Macará on March 10, 2013, in a 1-0 loss against Barcelona S.C. During his three seasons with Macará, he found the back of the net 22 times across 72 appearances. Estrada then joined El Nacional where he scored 18 goals in two seasons with the Ecuadorian Club, before moving to Independiente del Valle in 2017. Over the course of his three seasons with Independiente, Estrada went out on a series of loans to Macará. He was then transferred to Toluca in Liga MX in 2020 for $3m where he has played for the last two years.
Player: Michael Estrada
Position: Forward
Birthplace: Guayaquil, Ecuador
Country: Ecuador
Birthdate: 04/07/1996
Age: 25
Height: 6'2''
Weight: 172 lbs
Previous Club: Deportivo Toluca Fútbol Club
Status: International
Transaction: D.C. United acquire forward Michael Estrada on a season-long loan with an option for a permanent transfer in 2023 pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
