In a move few thought was possible when the season ended, left back Kai Wagner is reportedly coming back to the Philadelphia Union on a new three-year contract. Wow.

In the email today:

1. 🇩🇪 Kai Wagner Coming Back

Kai Wagner’s time in Philadelphia won’t end with him serving out a suspension, after all.

The 26-year-old star left back - who seemed destined to be either playing in another league in Europe or another team in MLS this year - has reportedly signed a new deal that will keep him at the club through 2026 with an option for a fourth year in 2027.

Though no one will question Wagner’s talent as a two-way fullback who was arguably the team’s most reliable player in 2023, the way his season ended does add a twist to his return.

Wagner was suspended by the MLS Disciplinary Committee three games after directing a racial slur in German at New England Revolution forward Bobby Wood in the first game of the Best-of-3 Round One Playoff series.

Wagner admitted to it but then also issued an apology where he tried to justify his actions by noting that Bobby Wood said something inappropriate about his family first, which rang hollow for a number of fans and observers.

Wagner will start the regular season serving the final game of his suspension at the home opener against Chicago Fire on February 24.

Before then Wagner and the Union have an opportunity to share in more detail the journey he has been on since the incident to reassure fans who resisted both his apology and Sporting Director Ernst Tanner’s insistence that Wood also be punished.

2. 🐍 Union Depth Chart Update

Though not a new signing, the reported contract for Kai Wagner fills a huge hole that was expected when the season ended. It’s basically the big signing fans have been waiting for not realizing it was even that real of a possibility.

The big question mark remaining now is the status of Julian Carranza. Captain Alejandro Bedoya is still a possibly maybe to return but Carranza leaving would leave big shoes in the attack to fill. The longer he stays the more he helps the team but also the less the return would likely be in a transfer. It’s a dance but even without him Tai Baribo emerging after a full preseason and Chris Donovan continuing his unlikely rise could soften the blow of losing Carranza in the coming weeks.

Below is the depth chart created by Philadelphia Soccer Now’s Evan Cohen.

3. 👔 Tweet of the Day: Kai

4. 💧 Water Cooler: Wagner News

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Former Philadelphia Union Academy standout Jack Skahan has a new two-year contract with San Jose Earthquakes.

• Peter Wilt is at it again trying to create a better mouse trap with the Open Soccer Alliance.

• Pitt professor Gabby Yearwood and 11 students ventured to to Australia last summer for the Women’s World Cup. They came away with powerful, positive lessons and more.

MLS Store Featured Item: Topps Chrome 2023 cards (the ones with Jack McGlynn on the box) Buy Now >

Thanks for reading! Have an item or suggestion for the newsletter? Email [email protected].