Marcelo Gallardo Arrives in D.C.

Our good & tireless friend, and United beat reporter at The Washington Post, (and also the best soccer writer / reporter in North America) Steven Goff is reporting on his blog the Post's Soccer Insider, that Argentine attacking midfielder Marcello Gallardo (lastly with Parisian club- Paris Saint-Germain - "PSG" ) has arrived in Washington. Apparently he has come to finalise the details of a much anticipated signing, and it appears is set to join the club for the commencement of its training for the 2008 season, which begins Monday, 28 January, at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. Well keep monitoring and keep you updated as best we can. One thing seems certain with this signing: It would now seem that the also much discussed and anticipated departure of 4 season veteran midfielder Christian Gomez, is in fact going to now occur. I'm sad to see Gomez go, however I am excited about this signing yet I'm still skeptical. Of all of the new foreign players signed thus far, Gallardo seems to be the one to get the most excited about if he is in fact signed, however there have been some "behavior" issues in his past that may cast some concern into the mix. I guess for now, well just have to wait and see. More as the news comes in...

EDIT: Steven Goff's print edition article for Monday's Washington Post, is now up and can be viewed here: Gallardo Set To Join D.C. United.

From the article:

"Gallardo, 32, has agreed to terms on a long-term contract, but United cannot officially add him to the roster until final paperwork is completed. United will hold its first practice this morning outside RFK Stadium, though it is uncertain whether Gallardo will participate right away or wait until camp moves to Bradenton, Fla., on Wednesday."

So it would now appear that a deal is all but done.