D.C. United Sign Albanian Striker Hamdi Salihi To Take Charlie Davies' Place

D.C. United made a move to bolster their attack Thursday, announcing the signing of Albanian striker Hamdi Salihi.

Terms of Salihi's deal were not disclosed by the team, but the club did say that Salihi signed as a designated player.

The 28-year-old Salihi will join D.C. United from Rapid Vienna of Austria, where he had played since August of 2009. Salihi recorded 53 goals in 90 appearances across all competitions for the famous club. In all, Salihi has scored 163 goals in 289 appearances for Rapid, SV Ried (Austria) KF Tirana (Albania), Panionios Athens (Greece), and hometown club KS Vllaznia Shkoder (Albania). The striker has also scored nine goals in 37 international appearances for Albania.

"[Salihi] has one of the most impressive strike rates you'll find and has shown he's capable of scoring goals at every level in which he's played," United general manager Dave Kasper said in a statement. "We believe strongly he'll be another important piece for our team and we look forward to seeing him on the field in March."

According to a club release, Salihi will wear the number 9 shirt, worn last year by Charlie Davies. The American striker returned to his club team in France after United declined to purchase his contract following a season-long loan in 2011.

Salihi will join Maicon Santos, Josh Wolff and Blake Brettschneider on the Black-and-Red's striking depth chart. United open their season on March 10 with a home match against Sporting Kansas City.