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D.C. United signs Hermann Trophy winner Ian Harkes

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Like father, like son.

D.C. United announced Monday the signing of Ian Harkes to a Homegrown Player contract, with the 2016 MAC Hermann Trophy winner following in the footsteps of his father, John, by joining the capital-based club.

"We are thrilled to have reached an agreement to sign Ian as a homegrown player," general manager Dave Kasper said. "He has developed into a high-level midfielder who has all the tools to be successful in MLS. We look forward to having Ian back wearing the United badge."

A star at Wake Forest, the 21-year-old midfielder comes to MLS having made 82 appearances for the Demon Deacons, leading them to the NCAA championship game in his final season with the program.

"I’ve known Ian nearly his entire life and have watched him develop into one of the nation’s best young talents," head coach Ben Olsen said of the newest talent at his disposal.

"He has all the tools to succeed at the next level and I look forward to being a part of his pro career."

Harkes, who joined D.C. United's academy in 2009 and has been a youth-team captain at multiple levels, will garner plenty of attention from supporters who remember his father captaining the first-ever MLS Cup-winning team in 1996.

Big footsteps to follow, kid.

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