D.C. United Signs Defender Jakovic

D.C. United on Friday announced the signing of Canadian international defender Dejan Jakovic via a transfer from Serbian club Red Star Belgrade. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. He will be available for the team upon receipt of his P-Visa and is expected to be an immediate starter for the club in central defense.

“We are excited to have concluded the transfer and signing of Dejan,” said United GM Dave Kasper. “He possesses excellent technical abilities and has good size and speed. We look forward to having him join us as we enter our final phase of pre-season.”

A 23-year-old central defender, Jakovic was born in Yugoslavia before his family emigrated to Canada when Dejan was six. He played his college ball on a scholarship at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, signing with Red Star Belgrade in the summer of 2008. After making two UEFA Cup appearances and starting the club’s first three league matches of the season, he fell out of favor with new coach Čedomir Janevski and didn’t see any more playing time.

Jakovic received his first and only cap thus far with the Canadian national team in January 2008 in a 1-0 friendly victory over Martinique. He also appeared in all five of Canada’s matches in the 2008 CONCACAF Pre-Olympic Tournament, in which they finished just outside the top two spots that received berths to the Beijing Olympics.

“He’s a Canadian Olympian who we got from Red Star Belgrade, where he got some great experience,” said D.C. United President Kevin Payne in a chat with DCUnited.com. “He’s big, he has pace, and really good feet. We’re excited about him.”

* photo courtesy Canadian Soccer Association