Philadelphia Union signs Nate Harriel to new contract

The Philadelphia Union has resigned defender Nathan Harriel to a new contract, the club announced on Thursday. The 21-year-old fullback is under a guaranteed contract through 2025 with options for 2026 and 2027.

“Nathan’s commitment to developing his game has impressed us, and we are thrilled he will continue to grow and contribute here in Philadelphia,” Sporting Director Ernst Tanner said in a statement. “His quickness and relentlessness have always been evident, and his decision-making has drastically improved.”

Harriel, a Union homegrown from Oldsmar, Florida, first signed with the first team during the 2020 season and made his first appearances with the club in 2021, when he played 179 minutes across five matches.

The fullback appeared poised for a breakout in 2022, when he seemingly took the starting right-fullback job from veteran Olivier Mbaizo before Mbaizo won the job back. Still, Harriel was never far behind Mbaizo, and his consistency offered the Union a steady option as a reserve. The homegrown was also one of the team’s most efficient duelers, winning 59.7% of his duels and 64.6% of his duels in the air.

Harriel has yet to appear in MLS action in 2023, though he’s seen significant minutes during Concacaf Champions League play. He played all 180 minutes in two contests against El Salvadorian side Alianza F.C., as the Union shut out Alianza in both legs en route to a 4-0 aggregate victory.

Harriel’s signing comes two days after the club announced that it has resigned veteran center-back Jakob Glesnes to a new deal.