ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - After his short stint in Guadalajara with Mexican powerhouse Chivas, Fidel Barajas signed a loan deal to join Major League Soccer side D.C. United.

Barajas, who attended Elk Grove Charter High School according to his player biography with United Soccer League club Charleston Battery, will be on loan through June 30, 2025, with the option to extend it to Dec. 31, 2025. 

“Fidel is a promising young talent with a high-ceiling for development at only 18-years old,” Ally Mackay, D.C. United General Manager and Chief Soccer Officer, said.

A product of Sacramento Republic and San Jose Earthquakes youth system, Barajas made his professional debut for the Battery at 16 years old. In 33 appearances with the Battery, he scored four goals while winning the 2023 USL Championship Young Player of the Year. 

On the international stage, Barajas first represented the United States at the youth level in five matches before choosing to represent Mexico. In November 2023, Barajas represented the Mexican National Team at the under-17 level at the FIFA World Cup and went on to score a goal for his team. 

It was around the time of the U-17 World Cup that there were rumors online circulating that Barajas was generating a lot of interest from European clubs, but just a few months later, in January 2024, Barajas inked a deal with MLS’s Real Salt Lake where he would make 17 appearances. In July of the same year, he signed with Chivas of Liga MX. 

He mostly played with the youth squads, as he only made five appearances for Chivas before being loaned out to make his return to the MLS. 

At the time of publication, Barajas has yet to make his D.C United debut but was on the bench for their match on March 1 against the Chicago Fire.