Washington DC (February 2, 2024) – D.C. United acquired a Discovery Priority Player from Minnesota United for $50,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money (GAM) and signed Finland international midfielder Matti Peltola as a Young Designated Player. The Black and Red paid Minnesota an additional $25,000 in 2024 GAM after signing Peltola. Peltola signed a four-year contract through 2027 with an option in 2028.
DC United General Manager and Chief Soccer Officer Ally Mackay said: “Matti is a brilliant young talent who has attracted significant interest from across Europe. He has already played significant time professionally with the Finnish national team. , a young midfielder who also plays in the Europa League.” At just 21 years old, he has experience at HJK Helsinki and has exceptional passing range and vision in midfield, as well as defensive instincts on the other side of the ball. He has matured beyond his years on the field and would be a great addition to our roster heading into 2024. We look forward to integrating him into our team and welcoming him to the district. ”
Peltola joined DC United after spending the 2023 season with HJK Helsinki in the Finnish First Division. Last year, Pertola played in the UEFA Champions League Qualifiers, Europa League and Europa Conference League, registering one assist in eight games. During the 2022 season, he played in 38 games, including 4 UEFA Champions League qualifying matches and 6 Europa League matches, scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists. The 21-year-old Finnish midfielder started his professional career in HJK Helsinki’s academy, playing for both the Under-19 team and the reserve team, before making his professional debut with the first team on 19 October 2019. Peltola recorded his first assist for Helsinki. March 18, 2023, Finnish League Cup semi-final match between HJK Helsinki and Kuopion Paloseura. He then scored his first goal for the club on 25 January 2020 in the Suomen Cup against Tuln Paloseura. Peltola played in 96 games over three seasons, recording three goals and four assists, winning three consecutive Finnish championships from 2021 to 2023, one Finnish Cup in 2020 and one Finnish League Cup in 2023. I aimed.
Peltola has been playing for the Finnish youth national team since 2018 at U-16, U-17, U-18 and U-21 levels. He recently made his senior debut in a 1-0 international friendly loss to Estonia on 12 January 2023, and has also featured in four games for Finland in the 2023 European qualifiers. Peltola has appeared in a total of five games for the Finnish national team.
Birthplace: Espoo, Finland
situation: International – Young Designated Player
transaction: DC United has signed Finnish midfielder Matti Peltola as a Young Designated Player after acquiring him from Minnesota United on a Discovery Priority deal for $50,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money (GAM). The Black and Red paid Minnesota an additional $25,000 in 2024 GAM after signing Peltola. Peltola signed a four-year contract through 2027 with an option in 2028.