Before the Major League Soccer transfer window closes Thursday, August 4th at 1:00 am ET, the Philadelphia Union officially signed Ligue One and United States Men’s National Team midfielder Alejandro Bedoya. He will join the Blue and Gold as a Designated Player (DP) based on MLS rules.
Bedoya comes to the Union from FC Nantes in Ligue One in France. With Nantes, Bedoya played in 87 league games and netted 11 goals in his three years with the club. In addition to his time with numerous clubs, Bedoya has earned 53 caps with the USMNT in seven years.
Chicago fire receives large sum for swap in allocation order
In order to complete the deal, Philadelphia had to complete a swap in allocation order with Chicago Fire. ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle reported that Philadelphia swapped General Allocation Money, Targeted Allocation Money, a 2017 MLS SuperDraft First Round pick, a non-disclosed player’s discovery rights as well as the Union’s allocation order spot, which is now first.
“We have laid out very specific goals for our club this season and Alejandro adds the type of quality that can instantly guide us in achieving them,” Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Earnie Stewart said in a press release. “He’s a tremendous player in the prime of his career and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the club.”
ESPN’s Marc Stein reported earlier this week that the 29-year-old’s transfer fee was in the area of one million dollars and Bedoya’s salary was in the range of $750,000-$850,000.
Where will Alejandro Bedoya play for Philadelphia?
Bedoya has spent most of his playing career in advanced positions like a winger or central attacking midfielder but played well in the number eight role for the USMNT in June’s Copa America Centenario. However, Jürgen Klinsmann’s USMNT plays a 4-3-3, whereas the Union plays more of a 4-2-3-1.
The Union has been looking for a number eight replacement ever since Vincent Nogueira left the team via mutual termination in June. Currently, Jim Curtin has tried playing his two central defensive midfielders, Brian Carroll and Warren Creavalle, in his double pivot. With Bedoya now with the club, Curtin will have a serious predicament of trying to find enough playing time for his three star midfielders: Tranquillo Barnetta, Roland Alberg, and Bedoya.