D.C. United acquires Matti Peltola, a member of Finland’s national team

Peltola, 21, has played center back and defensive midfield for HJK Helsinki but is projected to join veteran Russell Canouse in deep-lying midfield for United.

Aside from his three years of experience in the Finnish league, Peltola has made 29 appearances in European competition (UEFA Champions League qualifiers, Europa League and Europa Conference League). He debuted with the national team a year ago and appeared in four European Championship qualifiers (two starts).

United has acquired just three other experienced players this winter: center back Lucas Bartlett and midfielder Jared Stroud in a trade with St. Louis and right back Aaron Herrera in a trade with Montreal.

Peltola was a free agent, allowing United to add him without paying a transfer fee. On the D.C. roster, he will be classified as a “young designated player.” Each team is allowed three designated players, whose salaries are outside standard league guidelines.

United’s other DPs are striker Christian Benteke and midfielder Mateusz Klich. As a young DP (23 or younger), Peltola will not affect the salary cap as much as Benteke and Klich do.

In 2023, young DPs counted $200,000 (for ages 21-23) or $150,000 (20 and younger) toward the salary cap, while senior DPs were $651,250.

United will play its preseason opener Tuesday against the Sudanese national team in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.