Photo by Kyle Gustafson.

D.C. United officially announced this morning that they have acquired United States international forward Charlie Davies on a year-long loan from French club FC Sochaux. It’s an interesting move for Davies — adored by many American soccer fans for his blistering pace and instinct for goal — as he continues to revamp his career after being severely injured in a fatal car crash on the George Washington Parkway on October 13, 2009.

Davies spent ten days training with United during the club’s preseason camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and made a strong showing: he scored twice against Trinidad and Tobago’s under-20 national team and added a goal against the Canadian under-20 national team. Obviously, the efficiency in front of goal impressed head coach Ben Olsen, who had said “I need somebody in that [attacking] spot now.”

“Before his accident [in 2009], I think we all know that Charlie was one of the best forwards in this country,” Olsen said in an interview after Davies was brought into camp. “Obviously he has been through quite a lot since then, and to his credit he has got himself back to playing form.