DC UNITED manager Wayne Rooney has signed Christian Benteke from Crystal Palace.
Palace have announced Benteke’s departure and confirmed he is joining the MLS outfit to link up with Manchester United legend Rooney.
The Washington Post reports that the striker will become DC United’s all-time best paid player.
The Belgium international’s salary is expected to eclipse Rooney’s £2.9m per-year wages he was on when he played for the club between 2018 and 2020.
However, the 31-year-old will need a work visa and that process may take at least two weeks.
DC’s match against the Philadelphia Union on August 20 may be the earliest realistic date for the Belgian’s debut.
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Palace Chairman Steve Parish praised Benteke’s contribution to the club and wished him the best in his next challenge.
Parish issued the following statement: “Christian has played a crucial role in this club’s Premier League journey, making an immediate impact after signing and playing a central role in the squad ever since.
“He’s someone I’ve enjoyed a great relationship with and he’s shown incredible loyalty staying with the club when he could easily have taken other options.
“We all wish him all the very best with the next stage of his career.”
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Benteke joined the Premier League in 2012 when he signed with Aston Villa from Genk.
The centre-forward sored 49 goals and bagged 12 assists in 101 appearances before moving to Liverpool in 2015.
The Belgian struggled to stand out at Anfield with only 10 goals and six assists in 42 matches.
He left a year later for Palace where he netted 37 times in 177 games in his six years at Selhurst Park.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
