Cavalry FC announced Wednesday the signing of former D.C. United and LA Galaxy II midfielder Julian Buscher, bringing on the German youth international ahead of the Canadian Premier League’s inaugural season.

Buscher, 25, is no stranger to North American soccer, having played in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and professionally in the Major League Soccer (MLS) and the United Soccer League (USL). Buscher joins the Cavs’ inaugural roster, having last captained LA Galaxy II in 2018.

“Julian’s signing is a coup for us,” Cavalry FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. said. “He’s a former German youth international who’s had great experience this side of the water in the MLS. He’s the type of central midfielder that has a great engine to get around the pitch, is tactically astute and likes to get on the ball and break lines with his passes and forward runs.”

Before moving to North America, Büscher was a member of the German national Under-16 and Under-18 teams, and played for the Syracuse Orange NCAA Division 1 men’s soccer team during his time at Syracuse University.

In 2016 Büscher was selected 11th overall in the MLS SuperDraft by D.C. United where he played two seasons, as well as featuring in a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal match.

He joins the CPL in its inaugural season.

“It’s definitely something special to be a part of something new and powerful, and therefore very exciting,” Buscher said, of the move.

Büscher is expected to arrive in Calgary in February 2019 to begin training, pending the approval of appropriate visas/work permits and an International Transfer Certificate (ITC).