D.C. United Sign Christian Benteke to a Contract Extension Through 2025

August 28, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release

WASHINGTON, DC – D.C. United has signed two-time MLS All-Star forward Christian Benteke to a contract extension through 2025 with an option in 2026.

“Christian is an incredible playmaker and he has consistently demonstrated that he is one of the best forwards in MLS,” Ally Mackay, D.C. United General Manager and Chief Soccer Officer, said. “He is a physically dominant presence in the air and has been one of the top goal scorers and biggest threats in the league since his arrival in 2023. It was pivotal for us to keep Christian at the club for both his on-field talent and his leadership in the locker room. We are very excited to keep Christian with us for another season and we look forward to him continuing to make an impact at this club.”

Benteke joined D.C. United on Aug. 5, 2022 after spending 10 seasons in the English Premier League with Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Crystal Palace from 2012-2022. In 280 Premier League appearances, the Belgian forward scored 86 goals and recorded 23 assists. Benteke would make his debut for the Black-and-Red on Aug. 31, 2022 in a 2-1 win over New York City FC. He later scored his first goal for the club on Sept. 18, 2022 against Inter Miami CF at Audi Field. The following 2023 season, he would appear in 34 matches (34 starts), scoring 14 goals with four assists across all competitions and led Major League Soccer in aerials won with 241. Benteke also ranked among the top 10 players in the MLS in total shots (106), shots on target (37), and goals (14). This ultimately earned him a 2023 MLS-All Star selection in his first full-season with D.C. United.

“Christian is one of the most dominant forwards this league has ever seen but what people don’t see is how hard he works on a daily basis to be at his best,” Troy Lesesne, D.C. United Head Coach, said. “That mentality permeates across the team and he leads by example both on and off the field. We are delighted to have Christian’s presence on the field and his leadership at the club next season and I look forward to continuing to coach and learn from Christian in 2025.”

This season, the 33-year-old has continued his aerial and goal scoring dominance for the Black-and-Red. Benteke currently has 17 goals and four assists in 22 matches (22 starts) for D.C. United this season. He became the eighth player in club history to record consecutive seasons with at least 10 goals and the first since Wayne Rooney in 2018-19….