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.

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."

Click here to support Tribal Football by being paid to use social media.