Philadelphia Union signs academy grad Nick Pariano to first-team contract

Nick Pariano is coming home to Philadelphia, signing a two-year first team contract with the Philadelphia Union.

Pariano has spent the last four seasons at Duke University and has spent summers training with the Union while playing in USL League Two for the Ocean City Nor’easters. He earned a United States U-20 call-up last January.

“We’ve watched Nick develop throughout his time with Union Academy and into a productive and successful collegiate athlete, and we are excited to now bring him home to the Union,” Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner stated in a news release. “He is a very versatile midfielder who can play with both feet and has the ability to read the game well. At just 20-years-old, Nick is a promising talent for the pathway to the pros and we look forward to his continued development in our system.”

Originally from Michigan, Pariano joined the academy from Crew SC Academy Wolves in 2017. He graduated from YSC Academy a year early and went on to make 72 appearances at Duke.

His first team contract includes club options for 2025 and 2026.

He is the 21st player to sign a homegrown contract with the team and joins current first team players Jack McGlynn and Nathan Harriel as players recruited from outside the area to play in the academy who went on to sign with the first team. He’s the seventh player to sign a first team homegrown deal who was recruited from outside the local area.