Union, Kai Wagner agree to new contract

One of the Union’s biggest offseason needs resolved itself Thursday in what at times last fall seemed unlikely fashion.

The club announced it had reached a new contract with left back Kai Wagner, the free agent eschewing interest in Europe to return to the place where he’s rebuilt his career.

The contract is for three seasons through the end of 2026 with an option for 2027.

“Kai has proven himself year after year as one of the best left backs in the league and an integral part of our team success,” Sporting Director Ernst Tanner said in a team statement. “With his consistent defending and aggressive attacking style of play, he has greatly contributed to the new milestones the team has achieved every year, and we have full confidence his continued dedication and passion for this club will continue help us reach new heights. We’re looking forward to having Kai in Philadelphia for years to come.”

That looked unlikely last fall. With Wagner unabashed in his desire to play in a top league in Europe and his contract expiring, it seemed a last chance for the 26-year-old to make the jump. The Union didn’t meet his salary demands, and he openly celebrated what he assumed would be his final games with the club. (A three-game suspension for use of a racial slur during the playoffs didn’t exactly warm the hearth for a return, either.)

But that friction aside, the Union made an offer at season’s end, an obligatory move to preserve control over his MLS rights. While Wagner was linked to teams in minor leagues in Europe, the Union’s offer began to look like his best, which led to Thursday’s deal.

Neither side is exactly settling. The Union return one of MLS’s best left backs, a two-time All-Star and a member of the league’s Best XI in 2022 when he had 15 assists. He’s second in club history with 39 assists in 138 league games. Wagner is one of the Union’s principal chance creators, an ideal fit for their counterattacking tactics.

Wagner signed for the Union in 2019 after playing in the German third division. He’s grown into one of MLS’s best outside backs and is likely to be one of the best paid after this deal.

“I’ve been here for almost five years now and continue to grow professionally and personally,” Wagner said. “I feel highly valued here and have a great bond with the club. My family and I also feel extremely at home here. Despite other exciting options in Europe, I decided to extend my contract with the Philadelphia Union because in the end my heart also played a part in my decision.”

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In a less heralded move, the Union loaned forward Nelson Pierre to Swedish club Skovde AIK.

Pierre signed 11 months ago as the club’s 20th Homegrown player. He played 28 games with 15 starts for Union II, with four goals and four assists.

The loan will stretch through 2024 and opens roster flexibility. The Union have added three new players – Danish midfielder Sanders Ngabo, Homegrown midfielder Joe Pariano and outside back Isaiah LeFlore – this offseason. Pierre has done little to nudge his way past either Chris Donovan or Tai Baribo in the Union’s reserve striking depth chart.

Skovde is in the Swedish second division.