Ravel Morrison completes D.C. United transfer

D.C. United have signed midfielder Ravel Morrison on a free transfer using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM), the club announced Thursday.

Morrison has penned a deal through the 2023 MLS season with a club option on 2024, reuniting with former teammate and head coach Wayne Rooney.

The two both wore Manchester United colors for a brief time between 2010 and 2012, while Rooney managed Morrison for Derby County in 2021/22 - arguably the 29-year-old's most productive season yet with four goals and four assists in 36 Championship appearances.

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Born in Manchester, Morrison has 13 caps to his name for Jamaica, scoring twice.

“Wayne worked closely with Ravel during his time as manager of Derby County,” D.C. United president of soccer operations Dave Kasper said in a club press release. “Ravel is an incredible talent and his ability to create and score goals is impressive. He has played at the highest levels during his career and his vision, creativity, and ability on the ball will be a huge asset for us."

Morrison has played for every sort of club imaginable over the course of a colorful and often controversial career. Since leaving Man Utd, the midfielder has turned out for the likes of West Ham United, Birmingham City, and Sheffield United, while he's played abroad with Lazio, Atlas, and Ostersund.

As a youngster, he was regarded as one of the best talents Sir Alex Ferguson ever worked with. Morrison has never fulfilled that potential but if he can produce what he's capable of for D.C. United, he could enjoy real success in Major League Soccer.

“Ravel is a dynamic and exciting player who has experience performing at the elite levels in Europe and Mexico,” Lucy Rushton, D.C. United general manager, said in a release. “He is a top-class midfielder with excellent technical ability and positional versatility. His game intelligence and all-around attacking ability allow him to fit perfectly in the system and style that Wayne wants to play. We look forward to integrating him with the roster and having him contribute on the field as soon as possible.”