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The transfer of Jakob Glesnes to the LA Galaxy was made official on Monday and it included an add-on with the MLS rights for academy prospect Jamir Johnson. The Union will get a hefty sum of general allocation money from the deal - $1.1 million with another $1.1 million tied to performance incentives - but they also lose a player who was central to the Union’s defensive success over the past six seasons and have traded away the rights to another promising youth prospect (albeit with a sell-on fee).

In the email today:

1. 🚀 Glesnes Gone to LA Galaxy

A Best XI defender and promising youth prospect have been transferred from the Philadelphia Union organization to the LA Galaxy in a deal that could bring in as much as $2.2 million in general allocation money.

Glesnes, 31, was previously reported to be going to LA but the inclusion of Jamir Johnson’s MLS rights in the deal came as a bit of a surprise with the announcement Monday evening. Glesnes, who was named the MLS Defender of the Year and Best XI in 2022 and Best XI in 2025, said goodbye to fans on social media earlier in the day Monday.

“Jakob has been an integral part of our defensive unit and the success they have had during his time with the club,” said Philadelphia Union Head Coach Bradley Carnell. “Since joining the Union, he has played a major role in the team’s success, and we remain grateful for his leadership on and off the field. This move provides significant financial opportunities to continue to invest and strengthen our roster while reinforcing our competitive strategy. This also allows Jakob to continue competing at a high level in MLS where we’re confident he’ll continue to be successful. We wish him all the best in the next chapter of his career.”

The club will receive $500,000 in 2026 GAM and $600,000 in 2027 GAM. The Union may acquire up to an additional $1,100,000 in GAM if certain performances metrics are met by Glesnes and Johnson and will receive a future trade and sell-on percentage of Johnson.

Johnson, a pacy 17-year-old winger, made his professional debut with Philadelphia Union II in 2024 and had a pair of goals and an assist in 12 appearances in MLS Next Pro in 2025. He’s logged 21 appearances and 2 starts over two seasons in Next Pro. He’s also received call-ups to U.S. Youth National Teams camps and was part of the U.S. team at the recent U-17 World Cup.

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2. 🏆 Union Back in Leagues Cup in 2026

While there will be no U.S. Open Cup for the Union in 2026, they will (for good, bad or indifferent) be back in the Leagues Cup.

The Union are among 18 MLS teams that will compete against all 18 Liga MX teams in the competition kicking off on August 4. Three qualifying spots for Concacaf Champions Cup will be up for grabs in the competition.

3.💧Water Cooler: Glesnes Transfer

Thoughts on Glesnes Transfer

3. 🏟️ Social Post of the Day: Never Louder

4. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Check out the latest DOOPing Overseas.

• Need gift-giving ideas for the soccer fan on your list? We have a couple ideas.

• The EPSA Amateur Cup final was postponed on Sunday due to the snow storm. The game is now slated for February 22.

• Delran, N.J. native MD Myers is on the move, signing with Tampa Bay Rowdies after two seasons with Charleston Battery.

• USL Tactics caught up with former Philadelphia Union II head coach Marlon LeBlanc, who was recently named manager of USL Championship newcomer Brooklyn FC.

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