D.C. United today announced that the club has signed Gambian midfielder Sainey Nyassi. The 24-year-old joins United after playing seven seasons with the New England Revolution, and will occupy a domestic spot on United’s roster. Nyassi will also be available for selection for the Black-and-Red’s third-round Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match at USL PRO affiliate the Richmond Kickers tonight at 7 p.m.
“We are pleased to add Sainey to our roster,” said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper. “He possesses the speed and ability to unlock opposing defenses, and he will provide us with solid cover at wide midfield.”
The Gambian international made his first-ever appearance with New England on Sept. 4, 2007 as a substitute in the Revolution’s U.S. Open Cup semifinal victory over the Carolina RailHawks (NASL), assisting on Pat Noonan’s game-winner. Nyassi made his MLS debut on Sept. 9, 2007 against D.C. United, playing the final eight minutes on the right wing. In seven years with New England, Nyassi appeared in 104 games (75 starts), tallying eight goals and adding four assists.
Nyassi has been capped three times for Gambia’s senior National Team, notching one goal on Sept. 4, 2010 in a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier versus Namibia. The midfielder has also represented Gambia at the youth levels, featuring for the country in the 2005 U-17 world championships and the 2007 U-20 FIFA Championships. Nyassi’s twin brother, Sanna, currently plays for the Montreal Impact.
