Christian Benteke: MLS side DC United sign Crystal Palace and Belgium striker - BBC Sport
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Christian Benteke: MLS side DC United sign Crystal Palace and Belgium striker

Last updated on .From the section United States Major League Soccercomments116

Christian Benteke celebrating a goal for Belgium against Burkina Faso in March 2022
Benteke scored his 18th Belgium goal against Burkina Faso in March

DC United have signed Belgium striker Christian Benteke from Crystal Palace.

The 31-year-old joins the Major League Soccer side on a two-and-a-half-year deal, with the club having an option for 2025.

He has spent the past 10 seasons in the Premier League with Aston Villa, Liverpool and Palace, where he had another year on his contract.

"Christian is a top player who has played at the highest level for a long time," said United coach Wayne Rooney.

"His experience and ability to score goals and help the team will be invaluable. It's exciting for the team and myself to get him in and playing. He will make a huge difference."

Benteke has scored 86 goals from 280 Premier League appearances since joining Aston Villa from Genk in 2012.

His best tally in a single Premier League season was 19 in 2012-13 and he earned a £32.5m move to Liverpool in 2015.

Palace then paid a club-record £27m to sign Benteke the following summer and he continued to represent Belgium, scoring 18 goals in 45 internationals.

Rooney returned to DC United as coach last month and has also signed Jamaica winger Ravel Morrison, who played under him at Derby County last season.

"Being able to bring in a world-class player of Christian's calibre is a huge testament to what's going on behind the scenes at the club and our ability to draw top talent globally," said Dave Kasper, United's president of soccer operations.

"We have been extremely active in the transfer window, bringing in six players, and since Wayne Rooney's appointment as our head coach we believe we have made major steps in putting together a roster that can both make a push to finish this season strong and build a foundation for us moving forward."

Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

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116 comments

  • Comment posted by The Spin Doctor, at 23:07 5 Aug 2022

    Benteke has never been the same player since the day he left Villa.

    • Reply posted by Mike Torrinos Cellphone Battery, at 06:17 6 Aug 2022

      Mike Torrinos Cellphone Battery replied:
      Since the day he realized he could get paid and do absolutely nothing

  • Comment posted by Holte99, at 20:40 5 Aug 2022

    It's a shame that his post-Villa career turned him into a bit of a laughing stock, he was absolutely awesome for us. Hope he does well out there.

  • Comment posted by Hamilton, at 22:35 5 Aug 2022

    Christian is a lovely man who has endured his form decline with good heart, he never gave up. This Palace fan wishes him all the best at DC, he should do well in MLS

    • Reply posted by Michael Banks, at 02:15 6 Aug 2022

      Michael Banks replied:
      Lovely comment Hamilton. 100% concur - Palace lifer

  • Comment posted by devils advocate, at 23:54 5 Aug 2022

    Surprised Chelsea didn’t sign him for £50m plus add-ons

    • Reply posted by Did I Say That, at 07:03 6 Aug 2022

      Did I Say That replied:
      Chelsea wanted to pay £60m so they could impress their fans, but Palace said 'no' that's not ethical 🤣🤣🤣

  • Comment posted by 16-bit Super Mid-Endo, at 20:14 5 Aug 2022

    The only thing more ridiculous than the fee Liverpool paid for him was the one Palace subsequently paid.

  • Comment posted by Graham, at 22:01 5 Aug 2022

    ""Being able to bring in a world-class player of Christian's calibre"....hilarious!

  • Comment posted by SilverFoxxx, at 20:56 5 Aug 2022

    280 games…86 goals….over 10 years = 8.6 goals a year…freak me…that’s super bang ordinary…right?

    • Reply posted by bigwats99, at 22:11 5 Aug 2022

      bigwats99 replied:
      8.6 goals in 28 games a season, so almost 1 goal every 3 games. That’s close to Drogba numbers

  • Comment posted by MrFootballeXpert, at 20:10 5 Aug 2022

    Only any good at the Villa. Completely forgot he played for Liverpool and didn't do a fat lot for Palace. He would struggle playing for the dog n duck on a wet Sunday morning.

    • Reply posted by not for turning , at 07:13 6 Aug 2022

      not for turning replied:
      The dog n duck mate you so 70s !of course he could and no your nan couldnt score more either, you child

  • Comment posted by Dubbus, at 23:35 5 Aug 2022

    Big wages 120k off the wage bill. Good business

  • Comment posted by Mike Torrinos Cellphone Battery, at 05:44 6 Aug 2022

    Text book definition of stealing a living. Clearly couldn't be bothered to be a footballer. If he's world class then the English lower leagues are full of world beating internationals

  • Comment posted by dave2261, at 21:59 5 Aug 2022

    Retirement league for managers and players who are not good enough to work at a higher level.

    • Reply posted by The Spin Doctor, at 00:39 6 Aug 2022

      The Spin Doctor replied:
      The last chance saloon, I believe the MLS can be referred to.

  • Comment posted by Did I Say That, at 07:00 6 Aug 2022

    What a load of PR crap from Rooney and DC, Benteke 'World Class'????? He had his best year back in 2012-13 season with Villa and has been living off that for the last ten years lol 😂 🤣 🤣. You gotta hand it to Benteke for picking up the millions, but the bull##### that the clubs give out after signing a 'has been who is there for his pension and a new Rolls Royce' is laughable 🙄

  • Comment posted by D1708729214953, at 21:15 5 Aug 2022

    A dud signing. Possibly one of the biggest ever.

  • Comment posted by spotty Dave, at 20:18 5 Aug 2022

    phew that was close,thought my club was gonna buy him

  • Comment posted by Oreet Cha, at 22:41 5 Aug 2022

    World Class? Really??

    • Reply posted by long haul, at 23:07 5 Aug 2022

      long haul replied:
      The standout comment!!

  • Comment posted by D73, at 20:51 5 Aug 2022

    Had one good season at Villa and his record of 86 goals in 280 games is hardly anything to shout about.

  • Comment posted by Lonster, at 08:06 6 Aug 2022

    World class? This guy wasn't even the best player at Palace and his stats in the last few seasons are woeful. Palace are lucky to have got rid.

  • Comment posted by bigwats99, at 20:38 5 Aug 2022

    Decent player on his day, good for the North American League

  • Comment posted by Mark E Smith, at 21:29 5 Aug 2022

    The only sustained period of him playing well i can remember in the last 5 or 6 seasons is when his contract was coming up for renewal at Palace...

  • Comment posted by Pint of Bitter, at 21:46 5 Aug 2022

    is that Rooney at DC UNITED ? Benteke thats a Gamble hahaha Big Chance for Benteke isnt it if he wants to turn things round lets face it he s been crap for the last 5 five years

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