Philly Sports Jabronis
Reports From Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union Signs Forward Kacper Przybylko
Striker officially signs with Philadelphia following trialist period
CHESTER, Pa. (September 16, 2018) – Philadelphia Union today announced that they have signed forward Kacper Przybylko (pronounced: KATS-pehr Shuh-BILL-koh). German-born with Polish heritage, Przybylko’s contract is for the remainder of the 2018 MLS season with a team option for 2019. The signing was completed prior to the 2018 MLS Roster Freeze on September 14 and is pending receipt of Przybylko’s P1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.
“After having the opportunity to get an extended look at Kacper in training over the last few weeks, we are pleased to add him to our squad in advance of the MLS Roster Freeze,” said Chris Albright, Union Technical Director. “He is a physical forward with a nose for goal, and we are encouraged with his progress in recovering from injury. We believe he bolsters our depth and we are looking forward to working his fitness up as we enter the stretch run of our season.”
Przybylko joins the Union after having last played for 1. FC Kaiserslautern in Germany, the country of his birth. He appeared 47 times for the first team in the 2. Bundesliga over a three-year stretch, scoring nine goals and adding two assists.
Born in Bielefeld, Germany, he spent the bulk of his youth career at the local club, Arminia Bielefeld, where he made his senior professional debut in the 3. Liga in late 2011. He moved to 1. FC Köln in early 2012, where he scored 10 goals in 17 matches for their reserves.
The next year, during the 2012-13 campaign, Przybylko made his 2. Bundesliga debut with Köln’s senior team. He played the first half of the next season at Köln before moving back to Bielefeld on loan for the remainder of the 2013-14 season. Before moving to Kaiserslautern, he played one season for Greuther Fürth in 2014-15, also in the 2. Bundesliga.
Przybylko has represented Poland internationally, appearing at all levels of the country’s youth setup.
TRANSACTION: Philadelphia Union sign forward Kacper Przybylko, with the transaction occurring ahead of the MLS roster freeze deadline on September 14, 2018.
Name: Kacper Przybylko (pronounced: KATS-pehr Shuh-BILL-koh)
Position: Forward
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 194
Born: March 25, 1993 in Bielefeld, Germany
Hometown: Bielefeld, Germany
Citizenship: Germany
Acquired: Philadelphia Union sign forward Kacper Przybylko, with the transaction occurring ahead of the MLS roster freeze deadline on September 14, 2018
Previous Experience: 1. FC Kaiserslautern (2015-2018), Greuther Fürth (2014-2015), Arminia Bielefeld (2014), 1. FC Köln (2012-2014), Arminia Bielefeld (2011-2012)
Philadelphia Union Sign Midfielder Brenden Aaronson As Club’s Sixth Current Homegrown Player
Medford, New Jersey native signs First Team contract with Philadelphia beginning in the 2019 season;
17-year-old originally joined Union Juniors at age 10, now becomes Union’s sixth current Homegrown Player as well as the first born in New Jersey
CHESTER, Pa. (September 17, 2018) – Philadelphia Union announced today that midfielder Brenden Aaronson has signed a professional contract with the club, becoming a Homegrown Player. A 17-year-old attacking midfielder from Medford, New Jersey, Aaronson becomes the sixth current Union Homegrown as well as the ninth all-time. The signing is for Aaronson to officially join the Union for the 2019 Major League Soccer season.
“It’s a special moment for all of us in the Philadelphia Union family to welcome Brenden to the First Team as a Homegrown Player,” said Chris Albright, Union Technical Director. “Brenden has earned this contract through his hard work in training and his play with Bethlehem Steel FC and the Union Academy. This is another signing that we believe is reflective of our club’s philosophy and our ownership’s commitment to developing local talent. We’d like to congratulate Brenden and his family on his decision to turn professional.”
Aaronson and Union Head Coach Jim Curtin are both set to be available to the media fieldside following today’s training session at the Power Training Complex (2501 Seaport Drive, Chester PA 19013) ahead of team travel to Seattle. Members of the media interested in securing interviews, b-roll, or photos should arrive by 11:15 a.m. ET. Please RSVP with Ryan Schwepfinger ([email protected]) in order to receive updated timing information.
The Union’s first-ever Homegrown born in New Jersey, Aaronson joins the club in the midst of a season in which he has appeared for Bethlehem Steel FC 12 times as an amateur. In total, Aaronson has appeared in 18 matches over the past two seasons with Steel FC, starting nine contests and gaining 783 minutes of experience against professionals.
Earlier this season, Aaronson scored his first USL goal and added his first USL assist in a breakout performance against Atlanta United 2 (July 29), a 4-1 win. For his efforts, Aaronson became the first active member of the Philadelphia Union Academy to earn USL Team of the Week honors. He added his second assist as part of a 2-0 win against Toronto FC II (August 16).
Aaronson is a United States youth international, last being called up by the Under-19 National Team as part of the inaugural Men’s YNT Summit Camp from January 2-11, 2018. He joined the Union Juniors at the age of 10 and also starred for the Union Academy, last appearing 14 times for the U-19s in the 2017-18 season, scoring six goals. He previously played for NJ Real and Medford SC.
Aaronson is slated to join Anthony Fontana, Derrick Jones, Mark McKenzie, Matt Real and Auston Trusty as Homegrown Players on the Union’s active roster.
TRANSACTION: Philadelphia Union sign midfielder Brenden Aaronson as a Homegrown Player on September 17, 2018, with the signing beginning in the 2019 MLS season.
Name: Brenden Aaronson
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 148
Born: October 22, 2000 in Medford, NJ
Hometown: Medford, NJ
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Philadelphia Union sign midfielder Brenden Aaronson as a Homegrown Player on September 17, 2018, with the signing beginning in the 2019 MLS season
