Philadelphia Union II forward Nelson Pierre signed to first team contract

The Philadelphia Union announced the signing of Philadelphia Union II forward Nelson Pierre to a first team homegrown contract on Tuesday. Pierre, a former academy forward, will be under contract with the team through 2026, with a club option for 2027.

Pierre was the first signing to the Union’s second-team roster for their inaugural season in MLS Next Pro. He made 20 appearances, including seven starts, and notched five goals for the squad.

Pierre joined the Union’s academy in 2014 and is a member of the YSC Academy class of 2023. With the academy’s U-17 team, he scored five goals in 11 goals, including four goals in five games in the MLS Next play in 2021.

“[Pierre] has always been an intelligent and mobile attacker,” Ernst Tanner, the Union’s Sporting Director stated in a press release. “We believe he has all the attributes needed to grow into a player capable of contributing goals at the MLS level.”

The Harrisburg native is the 20th Homegrown signing for the Union, as he joins a list that includes current players Brandan Craig, Nathan Harriel, Jack McGlynn, Matt Real, Jeremy Rafanello, Anton Sorenson and Quinn Sullivan.

Pierre is likely the final signing made by Tanner before the 2023 MLS season, which begins on Saturday, February 25. He joins a group of three other true forwards on the roster but will have to fight with Chris Donovan and midfielders Joaquin Torres and Sullivan for minutes at the top of the formation.