Philadelphia Union prospect Anisse Saidi’s rights transferred to San Diego FC

Philadelphia Union Academy forward Anisse Saidi will start his professional career on the West Coast with new MLS expansion side San Diego FC.

The 16-year-old from Cherry Hill, N.J. signed a homegrown contract with San Diego after his MLS rights were traded. The Union are getting $50,000 in 2025 general allocation money, $50,000 in 2026 GAM, additional incentives if certain performance metrics are met that could reach as high as $250,000 and a future sell-on percentage.

“We are pleased to sign Anisse to a homegrown contract and welcome him to San Diego FC,” SDFC Sporting Director Tyler Heaps said in a news release. “At just 16 years old, Anisse has already shown tremendous potential as a center forward. While this is an exciting step in his career, we recognize that his journey is just beginning, and we are committed to providing him with the resources and support he needs to continue his development. We look forward to seeing him continue to develop and thrive at SDFC.”

The deal for Saidi’s rights is the most lucrative deal reported to date for the Philadelphia Union. Previous rights transfers fetched the Union $50,000 (Ben Martino, Tomas Romero, Kalil ElMedkhar). The amount the Union received for rights to FC Cincinnati forward Stefan Chirila was not mentioned in the press release announcing his homegrown signing but sources say it too was $50,000 in GAM.

Saidi, who was born in Tunisia and has represented Tunisia’s youth national team, made his professional debut with Philadelphia Union II last season. Prior to joining the Union Academy he starred with FC Delco and was a teammate of Cavan Sullivan on an FC Delco team that won the prestigious Iber Cup in Portugal.

Anisse is the younger brother of former Union Academy midfielder Aziz Saidi, who has played in the lower leagues in Portugal. Aziz was in the academy the same time as Anisse’s new teammate, goalkeeper CJ dos Santos. Pablo Sisniega, a former Shipley School student who trained with the Union Academy, is also on San Diego’s inaugural roster.