D.C. United Signed 16-Year-Old Kamil Castillo
The young midfielder joined the club on a four-year contract after completing a successful two-week trial.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Soccer
Live Poll
Do you believe professional sports academies in your area provide adequate support for developing young athletes?
D.C. United officially signed 16-year-old Kamil Castillo to a four-year contract this summer. Castillo, who joined the club as its 24th homegrown player, recently played 90 minutes in a match against Paderborn.
Why it matters
Castillo marks a significant investment in the club youth pipeline as D.C. United attempts to end a six-season playoff drought. The organization views his development as a critical path toward improving long-term team competitiveness.
Castillo scored two goals and provided three assists during three matches at the CONCACAF U-17 World Cup qualifying championships. He has been named to the D.C. United game-day roster three times since signing his deal.
The players
Kamil Castillo
The 16-year-old midfielder is a homegrown talent who previously represented the Dominican Republic in international qualifying play.
D.C. United
This professional soccer club competes in Major League Soccer and is based in the nation's capital.
The details
After joining the United youth academy full-time in 2024, Castillo completed a two-week trial with the first team to earn his spot. He travels 34 miles to a complex behind Philip A. Bolen Memorial Park in Leesburg for his daily training sessions.
Timeline
Castillo joined the United youth academy full-time in 2024.
The four-year contract was signed in the summer of 2026.
Castillo played 90 minutes against Paderborn on Wednesday night.
Season Trajectory
The acquisition of Castillo signifies the club's reliance on homegrown talent to reshape its roster amid a six-season absence from the postseason. His integration into the first team suggests a focus on youth development as a long-term catalyst for returning to the MLS playoffs.
Castillo is eligible for selection in the D.C. United match-day rotation following his three previous roster inclusions. His progress will determine whether he receives meaningful minutes during the remainder of the current season.
The takeaway
The signing underscores the importance of the homegrown player pathway in modern MLS roster management. Investing in local talent like Castillo serves as a cost-effective strategy to build depth while fostering potential future stars.
Further reading
Explore more youth development news on the Washington Soccer page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WTOP.
Live Poll
Do you believe professional sports academies in your area provide adequate support for developing young athletes?
