United have signed Ian Harkes to a Homegrown Player contract.

Welcome back to the ⚫️&🔴, Ian!!#DCU | Read: https://t.co/UdBHtj3a6s pic.twitter.com/RUnM7HGldL

— D.C. United (@dcunited) January 23, 2017

TopDrawerSoccer.com Player of the Year Ian Harkes has signed a homegrown deal with D.C. United, the club announced on Monday.

Harkes joins United after a stellar four year career at Wake Forest. A two-year captain for the Demon Deacons, he became the first player in league history to capture ACC Midfielder of the Year, ACC Championship MVP and NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Offensive Player honors in the same season.

“We are thrilled to have reached an agreement to sign Ian as a homegrown player,” United general manager and VP of soccer operations Dave Kasper said in a press release  “He has developed into a high-level midfielder who has all the tools to be successful in MLS. We look forward to having Ian back wearing the United badge."

Over the course of four seasons at Wake Forest, Harkes made a total of 82 appearances for the Demon Deacons, scoring nine goals and notching 18 assists.

“I’ve known Ian nearly his entire life and have watched him develop into one of the nation’s best young talents." D.C. head coach Ben Olsen said in a press release. "He has all the tools to succeed at the next level and I look forward to being a part of his pro career." 

Harkes played for D.C. United's Academy at both the U16 and U18 age groups, captaining the team prior to joining Wake Forest in 2013. His father John, is a former U.S. national team midfielder that also played for D.C. from 1996-98.

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