Terrence Boyd of the U.S battles for the ball with Nana Attakora-Gyan of Canada (front) during their CONCACAF Olympic qualifying soccer match in Nashville, Tennessee, March 24, 2012.Reuters
Canadian international Nana Attakora has signed with D.C. United of Major League Soccer.
United chose the defender in the second round of the 2013 MLS re-entry draft.
"Nana comes with international experience and has a good understanding of what our league is about," D.C. United general manager Dave Kasper said in a statement. "He will provide a good physical presence at a very key position."
Attakora, a Toronto native, began his professional career with Toronto FC, where he made 56 appearances between 2007 and 2011.
He was traded to the San Jose Earthquakes in July 2011 in a multi-player deal that brought midfielder Terry Dunfield to Toronto.
He signed with Finnish club Haka for the 2012 season before returning to the Earthquakes in 2013.
Attakora has represented Canada at the youth level and the senior national team, earning seven caps.
He will join fellow Canadian internationals Dejan Jakovic and Kyle Porter at D.C. United.