United have acquired goalkeeper Bill Hamid on a permanent transfer from Danish top-tier side FC Midtjylland on a new three-year deal using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM). The goalkeeper spent the last year-and-a-half on loan with the Black-and-Red from the Danish side.
“Bringing Bill back to the club in 2020 and beyond was a top priority for us this offseason," Dave Kasper, D.C. United General Manager and VP of Soccer Operations, said. “Bill is a leader on and off the field and we’re excited to bring him back to the club that he has worked tirelessly for over the last ten seasons. He is among the best goalkeepers in MLS and and he resonates with fans and the community, and we know he is going to be an important piece at the club for the foreseeable future."
In 2019, Hamid had a career season that culminated in an MLS Goalkeeper of the Year finalist nomination where he finished second overall in voting. The goalkeeper led the league in shutouts (14) and save percentage (77.3%) for goalkeepers who played more than 20 matches in the MLS Regular Season. Hamid was also third overall in saves (126) and was nominated four times to the MLS Team of the Week. The 29-year-old recorded 12 saves in the 0-0 draw against Toronto FC on May 15, 2019 to break his single-game save record at the club.
Hamid made club history as United’s first Homegrown Player when he signed with the first team on Sept. 2, 2009, after joining the academy in 2007. He made his full debut the following season and became the youngest goalkeeper in MLS history to win a match when United defeated the Kansas City Wizards 2-1 on May 5, 2010 at just 19-years-old. Over the course of his 10-year tenure with United, Hamid set club records in starts for goalkeepers (231), minutes (20,589), wins (87), saves (819) and shutouts (68). In 2014, Hamid was nominated as an MLS All-Star, selected to the MLS Best XI and was named the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.
The Annandale, Va., native made his United States Men’s National Team debut in a 1-0 win over Venezuela on January 22, 2012. Hamid has earned six caps for the USMNT (three shutout performances) and was a part of the 18-man roster that won the Concacaf Gold Cup in 2013 and 2017.
Player: Abdul Bilal “Bill” Hamid
Position: Goalkeeper
Birthplace: Annandale, VA
Country: USA
Caps: 6
Birthdate: 11/25/1990
Age: 29
Height: 6-3
Weight: 225 lbs
Previous Club: FC Midtjylland
Status: Domestic
Transaction: United acquire Bill Hamid on a permanent transfer from FC Midtjylland
