Philadelphia Union sign Bedoya from FC Nantes as Designated Player
The Philadelphia Union announced Wednesday it's signed midfielder Alejandro Bedoya as a Designated Player out of FC Nantes in France, where the United States international spent the last three seasons.
Bedoya made 87 appearances for Nantes, scoring 11 goals. He reportedly joins the Philadelphia Union on a $1-million annual salary with a $1-million transfer fee going to Nantes, a league source told ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle.
(Courtesy: @FCNantes)
"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," Union sporting director Earnie Stewart said in a statement. "He's a tremendous player in the prime of his career and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the club."
The Union also had to acquire the No. 1 pick on the Allocation Ranking Order and orchestrated a trade with the Chicago Fire for the spot in exchange for general and targeted allocation money, a first-round draft pick, and the discovery rights to another unnamed player, according to Carlisle.
Bedoya, a New Jersey native, has played much of his football in Europe. He joined Swedish outfit Orebro SK in 2009 before switching to Scottish side Rangers in 2011. He then returned to Sweden with Helsingborgs IF in 2012 before joining Nantes in 2013.
He became a popular figure among Nantes supporters, who embraced the U.S. international and adopted the popular American soccer chant "I believe that we will win!" during home matches.
Bedoya was a key figure in Jurgen Klinsmann's U.S. team for the Copa America Centenario, starting every match apart from the Stars and Stripes' 4-0 loss to Argentina due to yellow card accumulation.
Capped 53 times for his country, Bedoya was utilized as an attacking midfielder and as a central midfielder, but can also operate out wide.
He joins a Union team looking to reinforce its creative midfield ranks after parting ways with key cog Vincent Nogueira, who joined French outfit RC Strasbourg.
The move gives the Union, currently fourth in the Eastern Conference, even more attacking depth. Bedoya will look to combine with C.J. Sapong up top in Jim Curtin's already clicking offense, which has netted 36 times in 22 matches in the 2016 MLS season.