TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
The Philadelphia Union saw their five-game unbeaten run end on Saturday night with a 4-1 loss at home to the Montreal Impact. On Sunday morning, they added a long-rumored player to their attacking options.
The Union signed German striker Kacper Przybylko on Sunday, with the transaction occurring before the roster freeze deadline on Friday. The 6-foot-4 forward had been on trial with the Union over the past couple of weeks. Przybylko’s contract is for the remainder of the 2018 MLS season with a team option for 2019. The signing 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 in a team statement. “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. He will look to carve out a role on the Union striker depth chart behind Cory Burke.
