Philadelphia Union send Nelson Pierre on loan to Skövde AIK

With just three days until the beginning of preseason for the Union, the club has announced the loan of 18-year-old Forward Nelson Pierre to Sweden. Pierre, who is yet to feature for the first team, will join Skövde AIK in the Superettan, Sweden’s Second Division. The loan runs through 2024.

Pierre, who signed a homegrown contract last year, played 28 times for Philadelphia Union II in 2023, tallying just four goals and four assists. Nelson’s younger brother, Niel Pierre, is also with the Union’s second team.

Pierre has long been discussed as a premier attacking talent in the Union’s system but struggled in the 2023 MLS Next Pro Campaign. The Lebanon, Pa. native has shown immense athletic ability but has struggled to find goals, leading to reduced minutes. Pierre started just three times for Union II since July 25 and has failed to play a full 90 minutes since late May.

Looking at the striker position for Philadelphia, Pierre would have been very unlikely to see the field in 2024. With Chris Donovan’s recent contract extension, Julian Carranza reportedly staying through July, and newcomer Tai Baribo now in the mix, minutes up top are simply not available to Pierre at this time. Pierre joins Richard Odada as the two Philadelphia Union players currently on loan, as Brandan Craig and Andres Perea’s loans expired at the end of 2023.