WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 12, 2023) - D.C. United have announced the acquisition of midfielder Jared Stroud and defender Lucas Bartlett in addition to $300,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money from St. Louis City SC in exchange for Homegrown midfielder Chris Durkin.
“We want to thank Chris for his incredible contributions to the club since he was initially signed as a 16-year-old,” Ally Mackay, D.C. United General Manager and Chief Soccer Officer, said. “Speaking with others at the club, I know how big of a role Chris played at D.C. United and that he was beloved by our fans and the community. We wish him all the best in his next chapter in St. Louis and he will always be a part of the Black-and-Red family.”
Stroud joins the Black-and-Red after spending 2023 with St. Louis City SC in their inaugural season. Last year, Stroud recorded five assists and scored five goals in 31 appearances (25 starts). The 27-year-old made his debut for St. Louis in their inaugural match against Austin FC on Feb. 25, 2023. He scored his first goal for the club on March 11, 2023 in a 3-2 win against Austin FC.
“We are excited to bring Jared [Stroud] to the Nation’s capital,” Ally Mackay, D.C. United General Manager and Chief Soccer Officer, said. “He is coming off a productive season in St. Louis for an expansion team that took the league by storm and played some highly attractive soccer. At 27, he’s in his prime years as a professional and we believe that D.C. United is a great opportunity for him to take the next step in his career.”
Stroud started his professional career with the New York Red Bulls after being selected 83rd overall (Fourth round) in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 21, 2018. After being selected, Stroud joined New York Red Bulls II in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship. In two seasons in the USL Championship, Stroud was a standout after scoring 22 goals and recording 20 assists in 68 appearances for Red Bulls II. Following his impressive bout in USL, Stroud was signed to the New York Red Bulls first team on Jan. 7, 2020. Stroud made his MLS debut on July 11, 2020 as a 70th-minute substitute. In his first season in MLS, Stroud recorded two assists in 20 appearances (11 starts). Stroud was then traded to Austin FC on Dec. 20, 2020. Stroud scored one goal and four assists in 27 appearances (13 starts) over two seasons before being traded to St. Louis City SC on Nov. 7, 2022. In four seasons in MLS, Stroud has scored six goals and recorded 14 assists in 85 appearances across all competitions.
Lucas Bartlett joins D.C. United after spending last season with St. Louis City SC. In 2023, Bartlett recorded one assist in 14 appearances (12 starts). As a defender he recorded 25 interceptions and won 48.7% of his duels.
“Lucas is a highly capable center back who will help bolster our roster heading into 2024,” Mackay said. “He’s an athletic and imposing player with the physicality to be a great center back in this league. We’re looking forward to welcoming him to D.C. United.”
Bartlett started his professional career with FC Dallas after being selected sixth overall in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 11, 2022. In one season in Texas, Bartlett was loaned to North Texas SC; FC Dallas’ MLS Next Pro affiliate. He made 13 appearances for North Texas SC in 2022. After his contract option was declined by FC Dallas, Bartlett signed with St. Louis City SC on March 8, 2023.
D.C. United signed Chris Durkin as the eighth Homegrown player in club history on June 14, 2016. The Virginia-native made his debut for the Black-and-Red on June 15, 2016 in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Durkin made 36 appearances from 2016 to 2019 before signing an initial loan with Sint-Truidense V.V. in the Belgian First Division A. This then turned into a permanent transfer on May 7, 2020. In three seasons with the Belgian side, Durkin scored two goals and recorded five assists in 70 appearances across all competitions. Durkin then made his return and re-signed with the Black-and-Red on March 24, 2022. In six seasons with D.C. United, Durkin scored five goals and recorded six assists in 107 appearances across all competitions.
Jared Stroud
Position: Midfield
Birthplace: Chester Borough, New Jersey
Country: United States
Birthdate: 07/10/1996
Age: 27
Height: 5’10’’
Weight: 159 lbs
Status: Domestic
Transaction: D.C. United acquire Jared Stroud and Lucas Bartlett in addition to $300,000 in GAM in exchange for Chris Durkin
Lucas Bartlett
Position: Defender
Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri
Country: United States
Birthdate: 07/26/1997
Age: 26
Height: 6’3’’
Weight: 201 lbs
Status: Domestic
Transaction: D.C. United acquire Jared Stroud and Lucas Bartlett in addition to $300,000 in GAM in exchange for Chris Durkin
