Report: D.C. United discussing permanent transfer for Chris Durkin to Sint-Truiden

Chris Durkin could be calling Belgium home for good. According to a report by Steve Goff of the Washington Post, D.C. United is in talks with Sint-Truiden about a permanent move for the 20-year-old midfielder.

Durkin has been on loan with Sint-Truiden since last September from D.C. United, where he signed as a Homegrown Player in 2016. The loan was to last until June 30th, but the Juliper Pro League recently canceled the rest of its season due to the coronavirus pandemic that has brought almost all sports to a complete stop. Under the terms of the loan, the teams had until April 15th to work out a permanent deal.

D.C. United had negotiated a purchase clause of $2 million for Chris Durkin with Sint-Truident, but it remains to be seen whether that price will go up or down. Durkin had just become a regular starter for De Kanaries (The Canaries), starting 10 matches since December. He has scored one goal for Sint-Truiden since his arrival. Internationally, he has featured with the United States U-17 and U-20 national teams, and he is eligible to be called up for the U-23s as well as the Olympics should the U-23s qualify.

If Durkin remains with the club, he will be able to compete for a full-time roster spot next season. If he doesn’t sign with Sint-Truiden, he could take offers from any club in Europe or return to D.C. United. The next couple weeks will be very interesting, but Durkin has handled himself well in Belgium and may be ready to make the permanent leap.