Washington, DC (Jan. 12, 2021) - D.C. United have signed D.C. United Academy product and Loudoun United FC midfielder Ted Ku-DiPietro as the 17th Homegrown Signing in club history on a two-year contract through 2023 with options in 2024 and 2025. The 19-year-old joins Jacob Greene, Jeremy Garay, Bill Hamid, Moses Nyeman, Kevin Paredes, Donovan Pines, and Griffin Yow on the list of Homegrowns on the current roster.
“We’ve been impressed with Ted over the last two seasons in the USL Championship,” Lucy Rushton, D.C. United General Manager, said. “He has made great strides as a player since joining Loudoun United and we’re excited to see him continue to develop with our first team. He has the unique ability to break lines with the ball at his feet and covers a lot of ground in the midfield. Ted is another example of how the D.C. United Academy produces and develops quality players for our first team, and we wish Ted the best of luck as he makes the adjustment to MLS.”
Ku-DiPietro initially signed an Academy contract with Loudoun United FC in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship in the 2019 season before signing his first professional contract with the club on Jan. 7, 2020. The 19-year-old made his professional debut on June 18, 2019, in a 2-1 win against Atlanta United 2. Since making his debut, Ku-DiPietro has made 48 appearances, scored nine goals, and recorded four assists in 3,429 minutes played. His first goal came in the Red-and-White’s 4-1 win over the Swope Park Rangers on September 25, 2019.
“Ted has grown and developed as a player during his time with Loudoun United,” Stewart Mairs, Loudoun United FC General Manager, said. “Ted signing with D.C. United is a testament to the success of our Pathway 2 Pro program between the two clubs. He gained valuable professional minutes over the last two years and we’re looking forward to his continued maturation as a player as he makes the jump up to the D.C. United first team.”
Born in Oakton, VA., Ku-DiPietro joined the D.C. United Academy in July 2018. Ku-DiPietro played for Arlington Soccer Association, a Pathway to Pro affiliate, before joining the D.C. United academy.
The D.C. United Academy remains one of the most successful youth systems for developing soccer players in the United States. The Black-and-Red now have seven Homegrown Players on their roster in Ted Ku-DiPietro, Jeremy Garay, Jacob Greene, Moses Nyeman, Kevin Paredes, Griffin Yow, Donovan Pines, and Bill Hamid. Hamid has recorded the most minutes played as a Homegrown Player in MLS history (23,936).
Player: Theodore “Ted” Ku-DiPietro
Position:Â Midfielder
Birthplace:Â Oakton, VA
Country:Â United States
Birthdate:Â 01/28/2002
Age:Â 19
Height: 5’9’’
Weight:Â 161 lbs
Status:Â Homegrown
Transaction:Â D.C. United signed Ted Ku-DiPietro as the 17th Homegrown Player in club history on a two-year contract through 2023 with options in 2024 and 2025.
