Soccer
TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade
- DC receive: Tai Baribo
- PHI receive: Up to $4.6 million
D.C. United made a big swing on Wednesday, acquiring 2025 MLS All-Star striker Tai Baribo from the Philadelphia Union.
In exchange for the 27-year-old Israeli international, Philly receive $4 million guaranteed. They could get another $600,000 if certain performance incentives are reached.
Baribo has signed a five-year Designated Player deal with D.C. through the 2029-30 season.
“We are very pleased to bring in a top player like Tai to bolster our roster heading into the 2026 MLS season,” said Dr. Erkut Sogut, D.C.’s managing director of soccer operations. “Tai is a clinical finisher and a proven goal scorer in the league who will give us an edge in the final third.
“Beyond goals, he understands how to create space and is deadly in the air, making him a perfect fit for the identity we are building at the club. We are thrilled to welcome him to the nation’s capital.”
Foundational piece
Baribo is D.C.’s first major acquisition under Sogut, who was appointed in September.
He arrives less than a month after the club declined the option for striker Christian Benteke, the 2024 MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi winner who delivered 47g/10a in 93 league matches from 2022-25.
Baribo has consistently scored in MLS, tallying 35g/6a in 67 appearances for the Union since joining from Austrian Bundesliga side Wolfsberger AC in August 2023.
Last season, Baribo was Philly’s leading scorer with 19 goals (all competitions) as they won the Supporters’ Shield. He’s also claimed the 2024 Leagues Cup Top Scorer award with seven goals.
Internationally, Baribo has four goals in 23 caps with Israel.
“We want to thank Tai for his contributions to the club. Tai is a true professional and gave everything he had during his time here,” said Philadelphia head coach Bradley Carnell.
“At this time, we believe this move is in the best interest of both the club and player. This provides financial opportunities to continue to invest in the team this offseason while providing space for emerging talent on our roster. It also allows Tai to continue the next phase in his career. We wish him and his family all the best in the next chapter of his career.”
Introducing Tai Baribo 🫡 pic.twitter.com/mil8QT1dye
— D.C. United (@dcunited) December 17, 2025
Big picture
Baribo joins a D.C. attack that scored a league-low 30 goals in 2025. The Black-and-Red also finished bottom of the table with 26 points.
The 2026 MLS campaign will be D.C.’s first full season under head coach René Weiler, who replaced Troy Lesesne in July.
This winter, Philly acquired Ghanaian striker Ezekiel Alladoh from Swedish top-flight side IF Brommapojkarna for a club-record fee (reportedly around $4.5 million). Heading into 2025, the Union also broke their club-record fee when acquiring striker Bruno Damiani from Uruguayan powerhouse Nacional.
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