Julian Gressel to leave D.C. United in $900k trade with Vancouver Whitecaps | OneFootball

D.C. United have agreed to trade wing-back Julian Gressel to the Vancouver Whitecaps, 90min sources confirm.

First reported by the Washington Post, 90min are told the Whitecaps will pay up to $900k in General Allocation Money (GAM) for Gressel, who departs Audi Field after 73 appearances, four goals, and 16 assists across two-and-a-half seasons.

Vancouver will send $400k to DC United this season, with another $200k coming next season. That leaves a further $300k to be paid should Gressel meet certain performance-based metrics.

Gressel previously enjoyed a successful spell with Atlanta United, registering 20 goals and 36 assists across 118 appearances with the Five Stripes, helping them win MLS Cup, US Open Cup, and Campeones Cup titles.

Born in Germany, Gressel has played in the United States since 2011 and has American citizenship.

The 28-year-old has been used primarily as a wing-back over the last few years but with Wayne Rooney likely to switch to a 4-2-3-1 system with D.C. United, that role is likely no longer required in the team.

Vanni Sartini has most often deployed a 3-4-1-2 system with the Whitecaps, with Gressel now able to step into the right-wing-back role, adding balance with the impressive Cristian Dajome lining up on the left.

Gressel is also capable of playing further forward as an outright winger and has filled in as a central midfielder in the past.

D.C. United are currently bottom of the overall standings with just 18 points from 18 games, while the Whitecaps are 10th in the Western Conference, just two points adrift of the MLS Cup Playoff spots.