Santi Moar signs with Bethlehem Steel FC

Former Pfeiffer University striker Santi Moar has become the first of the Philadelphia Union’s 2017 SuperDraft picks to sign with the organization.

Bethlehem Steel FC made the signing of the Coruna, Spain native official on Monday afternoon. Moar was the 82nd overall pick and the fifth and final selection for the Union in the draft earlier this month.

​"We are very excited to have Santi on board. We were able to scout him through the summer and fall and think that he will add a new dimension to our attack in 2017,” head coach Brendan Burke said in a news release. “He has goals in him and very good vision to match. We hope that he will compete to start right away."

The 23-year-old forward starred at Division II power Pfeiffer for two seasons, scoring 24 goals and collecting 33 assists while helping to lead the Falcons to a 25-0 record and national championship in 2015. He had a team-high 19 assists in 2016 and was third on the team in goals with 14 in 20 starts.

“When you are playing in college soccer, you always hope that you can become a professional and take that next step and luckily Bethlehem Steel FC gave me this opportunity,” Moar said. “I believe Bethlehem will be a great place for me. Coach Burke and (Philadelphia Union Sporting Director) Earnie Stewart have shown great confidence in me and that makes this decision even easier.”

No signing announcements have been made as of yet for any of the Union’s other four draft picks, which include South Florida winger Marcus Epps, Clemson right back Aaron Jones, Syracuse forward Chris Nanco and West Virginia center back and midfielder Jack Elliott.

The Steel FC roster now has 10 players, five short of the minimum 12. The roster includes forwards Seku Conneh, Amoy Brown and Cory Burke, midfielders Josh Heard and James Chambers, defenders Matthew Real and Hugh Roberts and goalkeeper Matt Perrella.