D.C. United finalizes permanent acquisition of Brazil’s Gabriel Pirani

Pirani, 21, signed a two-year contract, with club options in 2026 and 2027, United said. His salary will not become public until the MLS Players Association posts player earnings this spring.

“We saw glimpses of Pirani’s playmaking abilities last year and we believe he has a high ceiling for development in this league,” new general manager Ally Mackay said in a statement. “He is a very technical midfielder who has the ability to unlock defenses with his vision, technical ability and passing range.”

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In 2023, Pirani appeared in 10 matches (all starts) and scored once. He is expected to start in a midfield that also features Mateusz Klich, Russell Canouse and Martín Rodríguez, who missed last season with an ACL injury.

This past fall, Pirani bolstered his portfolio by helping the Brazil under-23 national team win the gold medal at the Pan American Games in Chile. He started all five matches and scored against Colombia in the group stage.

Pirani began his career in the youth system at Santos, the famed club of Pelé, and made 77 first-team appearances with five goals and five assists across all competitions. He also played on loan at Brazilian clubs Cuiabá (10 games in 2022) and Fluminense (24 in 2023).

United has added five others this offseason: center back Lucas Bartlett and winger Jared Stroud in a trade with St. Louis City for midfielder Chris Durkin; right back Aaron Herrera from Montreal for Brazilian right back Ruan; midfielder Ethan Dobbelaere off waivers from Seattle; and center back Garrison Tubbs from Atlanta.

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The club also claimed four players in the MLS draft, highlighted by Georgetown forward Jacob Murrell, a first-round pick who has yet to announce whether he will sign with United or play at least one more season for the Hoyas.

Additional moves, via trades and international transfers, are expected before the Feb. 24 season opener against New England at Audi Field.

United remains without a head coach just two weeks before training camp is scheduled to open in Leesburg.