D.C. United signs Argentine defender Emiliano Dudar

D.C. United announced on Wednesday that the team has signed Argentine defender Emiliano Dudar. The 6-foot, 4-inch 30-year-old joins the Black-and-Red on a free transfer from BSC Young Boys of Switzerland. Per club and League policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Dudar will be available for selection pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and visa.

“Emiliano has terrific experience in Europe and with some of the top teams in South America, and we thrilled to announce his addition to our squad,” said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper in a press release. “He will provide our back line with a big, physical presence, excellent technical ability, and strong leadership qualities.”

Dudar originally joined BSC Young Boys for the start of the 2009-10 campaign. In his first season with the Swiss club, he played in Super League, Europa League (formerly known as UEFA Cup) and Champions League qualifying matches.  He was named the Swiss Golden Player as the league’s defender of the year after playing in 31 Swiss League matches (all starts) that season. His second season was cut short after suffering a concussion in September which sidelined the defender for three months. He returned to the pitch in the spring of 2011 and played in a total of 17 matches for Young Boys over the remainder of the campaign.

Prior to joining Young Boys, Dudar was with Swiss side Bellinzona, where he played in 16 matches and scored two goals in the second half of the 2008-09 campaign. He came to Bellinoza from Olimpo in his native Argentina (second division) where he made 15 total appearances (13 starts).

Dudar made his European debut with FC Chiasso of the Swiss Challenge League (second division), playing in 14 matches (all starts) and tallying two goals during the 2007-08 campaign. Prior to his time with Chiasso, he spent two seasons (2006-07) in Brazil as part of Vasco da Gama making 19 appearances (17 starts) for the Rio de Janeiro side. While with Vasco, Dudar also played in the 2007 editions of Copa Sudamericana and Copa do Brazil.

Beginning in 2003, Dudar went on loan for three consecutive years to three different clubs. In 2003, he went on loan to Independiente of Argentina’s Primera División, seeing time in 19 matches (16 starts) and tallying one goal. In 2004, Dudar was loaned to Banfield, also of Argentina’s Primera Division, and played in two matches, before moving to Libertad of Paraguay’s first division for the 2005 campaign, where he did not see the field.

Dudar made his professional debut at 19-years old with Vélez Sarsfield of the Argentine Primera División after climbing up the club’s youth ranks. Over four years with the Buenos Aires side, he made 63 total appearances (46 starts) and tallied five goals. He was named the Rookie of the Year by the Asociación del Fútbol Argentino in 2000, and also played in Copa Libertadores in 2001 and Copa Mercosur in 2002.

Dudar also represented the Argentina National Team at the U-20 level while with Vélez.

Name: Emiliano Dudar
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 198
Jersey: TBD
Position: Defender
Birthdate: August 12, 1981
Age: 30
Hometown: San Justo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Previous Club: BSC Young Boys (Switzerland)
Acquired: Signed on January 25, 2012