United have acquired Costa Rican forward José Guillermo Ortiz from CS Herediano of the Primera División de Costa Rica on loan with an option to buy at the end of the 2017 season.
Ortiz, 24, had a breakout year in 2016 with Liga Deportiva Alajuelense; in addition to scoring 15 goals, he was the leading scorer in the Verano tournament. In four seasons with LD Alajuelense, he scored 28 goals and recorded five assists while playing as a center forward, winger and withdrawn striker.
“José is coming off a very good year in 2016 and we are very pleased to have secured his services in a one-year loan,” Dave Kasper, United general manager and VP of soccer operations, said. “His energy and movement create problems for opposing defenses, and he has a nose for the goal. We welcome José to the D.C. United family and we look forward to having him joining us in pre-season training camp in January.”
The five-foot-eleven San José native previously played against the Black-and-Red in the 2014-15 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League; he scored two goals on Feb. 26 at Alajuelense. Ortiz will join the Black-and-Red in preseason in late January 2017.
José Guillermo Ortiz
Height: 5-11
Weight: 160
DOB: 06/20/1992
Hometown: Uruca, San José, Costa Rica
Citizenship: Costa Rica
Status: International
PreviousClub: CS Herediano
Transaction: D.C. United acquire José Guillermo Ortiz on loan from CS Herediano with option to buy at the end of the 2017 season.
