The big news for the Philadelphia Union on European transfer deadline day was no news at all about Julian Carranza while the return of captain Alejandro Bedoya was officially announced. Bedoya will be back on the field and take on new responsibilities in the front office as he transitions to his post-playing career.

In the email today:

1. 👨🏽‍✈️ Bedoya is Back!

Alejandro Bedoya and the Philadelphia Union have agreed to a one-year contract, the club announced Thursday. Bedoya will also work with the team in its front office, serving as a Player Development and Front Office Specialist.

“We are happy to have found a solution that works best for Alejandro and for the Union to bring him back to the club where he can continue to contribute to the team and in the Player Professional Development role,” said Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner in a statement. “His leadership and work ethic are still vital components to our team’s success, and his passion, commitment, and insights after serving in unofficial business and leadership capacities over the years will contribute greatly to his new role. We are confident that his contributions as a developmental mentor and a front office specialist will benefit the overall organization and are grateful to be able to welcome him back.”

Bedoya’s contract was in question toward the end of the 2023 season, as Bedoya was reportedly told by the Union that he was not in their plans moving forward as a club. After protests from fans and head coach Jim Curtin, the Union reportedly worked on signing Bedoya to a new deal for several months, eventually landing on the current extension.

This wasn’t the first time Bedoya was involved in questions regarding his contract with Philadelphia; the midfielder was signed to a one-year contract after the 2021 season.

“Philadelphia is my home, and the Union is my club. This is the only Major League Soccer team I have ever played for and where I want to stay,” said Bedoya in a statement. “The development and ever evolving success of both the team and the organization from the first day I started here until now has been nothing short of incredible to witness, and I’m grateful to be able to continue to contribute to both sides of the business going forward. I will continue to give everything I have to this organization, and I look forward to a successful 2024 campaign.”

-Joe Lister

2. 🩺 Delran Native MD Myers Transferred to Charleston

MD Myers is taking his goal-scoring talents to Charleston Battery.

The Delran, N.J. native and former Philadelphia Union Academy forward was transferred from NYCFC II to the Battery for an undisclosed fee and signed a new multi-year contract with the reigning USL Championship finalists.

“What I’m most looking forward to about joining the Battery is having the opportunity to join a club that is eager to compete for a championship,” Myers stated in a news release. “The team had a great season last year and we’ll be fighting to finish the job at the end of this season.

Myers won the Golden Boot for the 2023 MLS Next Pro season after scoring 19 goals for NYCFC II, along with recording five assists, across 28 games. He earned Next Pro Best XI honors after the prolific campaign.

“MD is an exciting center forward, he’s physical and relentless in his pursuit, and is a nightmare to play against,” Battery Head Coach Ben Pirmann stated in a news release. “He has shown his abilities throughout college and the professional ranks that he not only scores goals, but that he is a winner. He is joining a group of players bound by a common goal, to do whatever it takes to win.”

Myers was selected 66th overall by New York City FC following a standout college career at High Point University and Rutgers University. He also played locally for Ocean City Nor’easters in USL League Two over the summers of 2021 and 2022. Prior to joining the Union Academy, Myers played at Real Jersey FC.

3. 🗿 Tweet of the Day: Build the Statue

4. 💧 Water Cooler: Keeper Wars

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Paxten Aaronson’s loan move to Vitesse Arnhem is official.

• Union II striker Jose Riasco will get to spend a little more time back home after Venezuela U23s pulled off a surprise win over Brazil to advance out of group play in Olympic qualifying. Riasco didn’t play (after starting the previous match).

• If you can’t make it to the Sons of Ben’s annual Help Kick Hunger event on Saturday you can still donate to the cause.

• Ipswitch Town and Mainz also had interest in Carranza during the transfer window.

• Kai Wagner spoke to reporters yesterday about his return to the team, the response from the fans and his desire to move on from the incident with Bobby Wood.

• Eight youth players from the area were selected for the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program national teams.

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