The Philadelphia Union have entered the offseason after crashing out of the MLS Cup playoffs.
Despite questions in the front office, the Union has wasted no time building off of a successful 2025 campaign.
Club Record Signing
Just over a week after being eliminated by NYCFC, the Union announced their game-changer is on the way. Union has acquired forward Ezekiel Alladoh from the Swedish side IF Brommapojkarna.
Alladoh will break the club’s record transfer fee. Now, this is still the Union we are speaking of. The transfer fee of $4.5m would not break the top 100 across the entire league history. However, Alladoh has shown significant promise. At just 20 years old, he drew the attention of multiple teams around the globe.
At 6’3, Alladoh uses his solid frame to be strong in the box and possesses lethal finishing opportunities. The Union have had a solid attacking mindset for a few seasons, but have lacked a lethal goal scorer. Tai Baribo showed promise throughout the season, but went ice-cold when it mattered the most.
However, the Union is not stopping there. Now, rumours are swirling that the club is finalising a deal to land a young center-back to bolster their thinnest position. The Union is not satisfied with their Supporters’ Shield win in 2025.
Making Moves Despite the Noise
Ultimately, the Union are not allowing drama, with Sporting Director Ernst Tanner slowing down the 2026 plans. Last month, damning reports surfaced of Tanner using derogatory and offensive conduct throughout his many years as Union’s sporting director. Tanner has since been put on administrative leave.
Now, transfers do not just happen overnight. The move for Alladoh was likely agreed to long before Tanner was put out. The move is his bread and butter—a young, unknown player who can very likely be an MLS All-Star. While Tanner was a crucial piece of getting the Union to where it is now, the club will survive without him. It is a great sign that the club is not allowing the awful situation to put them behind schedule.
However, only time will tell what future moves will look like as the club moves away from Tanner’s grasp. The search for a new sporting director will likely need to start, if it hasn’t already.
The Union are full steam ahead for 2026.
Fans should be excited, as Alladoh may be the most exciting prospect the Union has brought in so far.
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