The Philadelphia Union started training today in Florida but it seems there’s still plenty of question marks around the squad. Perea is officially gone but where is Daniel Gazdag and what’s happening with Brandan Craig not to mention captain Alejandro Bedoya?

In the email today:

1. 🚇 Union Recoup Investment in Perea

Andres Perea’s short and confusing tenure with the Philadelphia Union has officially ended with the announcement on Martin Luther King Day Monday of his permanent transfer to New York City FC.

Perea was loaned to the Cityzens in late July and will continue on as a permanent fixture in their midfield this season.

Though the math is a little fuzzy since inter-league trades often include additional “Garber bucks” exchanging hands for unpublished performance metrics being met, the Union appear to have gotten back their initial investment and made a small return on the loan deal – between $100k and $250k.

Union Paid Orlando City:
$450k in 2023 GAM
$300k in 2024 GAM
+ $100k based on incentives being met
=$750-$850k

NYCFC is Paying the Union:
$300k in 2024 GAM for the loan
$350k in 2024 GAM
$300k in 2025 GAM
+ Up to $150k based on incentives being met
=$950k-$1 million

2. 🌴Former City Islander Clésio Scores for Mozambique

From City Island to scoring against Mo Salah and Egypt a decade later.

Former Harrisburg City Islander Clésio Baúque made the most of his Africa Cup of Nations debut on Sunday, scoring for Mozambique in the 58th minute to put them up 2-1 on Egypt. The score would not hold - Salah equalized deep into second half stoppage time from the penalty spot - but it was still a crucial point for The Mambas, competing in the competition for the first time since 2010.

Baúque played one season in Harrisburg on loan from Benfica. He started the year out as a trialist with the Philadelphia Union in preseason and then spent the season with the Union's then USL affiliate. He made 20 appearances and scored 5 goals for the City Islanders as a 19-year-old.

He went on to make just one appearance for Benfica before playing with teams in Greece, Turkey and Azerbaijan. After returning to Portugal to play for Maritomo he spent part of 2023 in Finland with Honka and just recently re-signed with Gabala SC in Azerbaijan, where he spent the 2019-2020 season.

Clésio has been a fixture with Mozambique since he made his debut at age 17 in 2011. He now has six goals in 44 international appearances.

3. 📷 Tweet of the Day: All Smiles

4. 💧 Water Cooler: Poll Results

Moving For Messi

Kai Wagner News

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• A strange and unexpected report surfaced from abroad on Monday stating that Daniel Gazdag is being offered ‘on loan’ to Sheffield Wednesday.

• Ocean City Nor’easters are hiring for two summer game day staff positions.

• Former Shipley School goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega is heading to San Antonio FC after two seasons with Charlotte FC.

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