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Former Philadelphia Union prospect Bajung Darboe officially joins Bayern Munich

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Photo courtesy of FC Bayern

Former Philadelphia Union II phenom Bajung Darboe has officially joined the Bayern Munich organization, signing a long term contract with the German club.

The 18-year-old spent two and half years in the Philadelphia Union Academy and made 15 appearances in MLS Next Pro but departed the program in 2023 after the Union were unable to acquire his MLS rights. He signed with LAFC instead after they acquired his rights from Minnesota United but featured only with their second team.

The Gambia-born Darboe is currently with Bayern Munich II in the fourth tier of German soccer.

“We’ve been aware of Bajung for a while and have already had him with us in Munich for a trial,” Jochen Sauer, Bayern’s director of youth development, stated in a news release. “We’re very pleased that he’s now moving here permanently and wants to establish himself in European football through our reserves. We thank LAFC for their cooperation on this transfer and we’re both excited about his future development.”

An interview with Darboe about his signing was posted on the club’s website earlier this week.

“It was always a big wish of mine to get to pull on the shirt of this great club one day,” he said. “The fact it’s happened now fills me with a lot of pride. I’m still battling the jet lag but otherwise I feel good and ready to get started.”

Though the Union weren’t directly involved in the transfer, it’s another feather in the hat for the academy – which will be due training compensation – and its growing network of alums playing for clubs across Europe.

Matthew Ralph is the managing editor of Philadelphia Soccer Now. He's covered soccer at all levels for a decade in the Philadelphia region and has also written for TheCup.us, NPSL, PrepSoccer and other publications. He lives with his wife and two young children in Broomall, Pa., but grew up in South Jersey and is originally from Kansas.

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