D.C. United announced Wednesday that the club has signed 18-year-old Academy product Collin Martin, making the Mayland native and former Wake Forest midfielder the sixth Homegrown player in United’s history.
“Collin has worked very hard to get this opportunity, and we look forward to now having him take the next step in his career,” D.C. United general manager Dave Kasper said in a statement.
A native of Chevy Chase, Md., Martin first appeared for United’s U-16s during the 2009-10 U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) season. In his second season as a United U-16 player, Martin led the side in scoring with 13 goals, helping the U-16s finish atop their division in the 2010-11 USSDA campaign.
Martin moved up to the Black-and-Red’s U-18 squad for the 2011-12 USSDA season, where he led his team in goals (11) yet again while also adding three assists. Martin has also appeared for the Black-and-Red in MLS Reserve League play.
“Collin is a creative and technical player who exhibits true playmaking qualities,” D.C. United director of youth development Sonny Silooy said in statement. “We have enjoyed watching his progression from the Academy to the First Team, and are very proud of his accomplishment.”
Martin logged 1,315 minutes for the Demon Deacons as a freshman, featuring in all 20 games (15 starts) of Wake Forest’s 2012 NCAA season. The midfielder notched one goal and added six assists – a team-best – en route to an All-ACC Freshman Team selection.
Martin has also been called up to represent the United States at the U-14, U-15, U-17 and U-20 levels. Most recently, the midfielder was selected for the US U-20 national team camp in Carson, Calif., and traveled with the squad for the Toulon Tournament in France from May 28 – June 8. The US U-20s finished with one win from its four matches in the tournament, with Martin starting the side’s first game against France.
Martin joins 2010 MLS Rookie of the Year Andy Najar, goalkeeper and US international Bill Hamid, midfielder/defender Conor Shanosky, defender Ethan White and United’s youngest and forward Michael Seaton as D.C. United Homegrown players.
