Philadelphia Union announce signing of Scottish international center back Stuart Findlay

Stuart Findlay to the Philadelphia Union is finally official.

The team announced the signing of the 25-year-old Scottish international center back on Thursday morning, ending a long offseason wait for the Union’s first offseason signing from outside the club.

“Being able to add a left-footed player to one of the best defenses in MLS, especially one capable of a fast-paced style of play, makes Stuart a valuable asset to our defense and club,” Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner said in a news release.

The Union paid an undisclosed transfer fee to Scottish club Kilmarnock FC for Findlay and signed him to a two-year contract with a club option for a third year. His signing gives the Union three center backs 6-foot-2 or taller. Findlay is 6-foot-2, Jakob Glesnes is 6-foot-2 and Jack Elliott, who also has Scottish heritage, is 6-foot-6.

Findlay came up through the Celtic FC youth system, playing for their academy from 2009-2015 and captaining the U17 team before turning pro with the Glasgow-based club. He spent time on loan between Kilmarnock and England’s Newcastle United, before finally settling with Kilmrnock, where he has been since 2018.

Internationally, Findlay has made multiple appearances for Scotland’s youth national teams, making 33 appearances from U16-U21. On October 13, 2019, he earned his first cap for Scotland’s senior team where he started the match against San Marino in an UEFA Euro qualifying match, recording a goal and an assist in a 6-0 victory.