D.C. United today announced the club has acquired Colombian forward Lionard Pajoy and an international roster spot from the Philadelphia Union in exchange for midfielder Danny Cruz.
The Union signed Pajoy from Colombian first division side Itag-Ã- Ditaires in February of 2011. Pajoy will be available for selection at United's match against Philadelphia this Sunday at RFK Stadium (5 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network).
"It was not an easy decision to trade Danny. He's been a terrific player on and off the field this season," said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper. "We felt that we needed to add another piece up top and the opportunity to get Lionard Pajoy was one that we could not pass up. We're excited to integrate him into our side immediately."
Pajoy has been a consistent regular in the Union lineup in his first season in Major League Soccer. He has appeared in 20 games (16 starts) this year while netting five goals and assisting on two others. Pajoy is tied as the Union's leading goal scorer on the year and has logged 1,490 total minutes on the field.
