Philadelphia Union
17-year-old center back Neil Pierre signed to first team deal

One of the top-rated center backs in the country in the 2007 birth year is officially a member of the Philadelphia Union with the team announcing the signing of the 17-year-old from Lebanon, Pa. to a first team homegrown contract.
Pierre is the 26th homegrown player signed by the team and arguably one of the academy’s biggest prospects currently in the pipeline who doesn’t have the last name Sullivan. His deal is through 2028 with a club option for 2029. Pierre, who is from Lebanon, Pa., joins his older brother Nelson Pierre on the first team. Both he and Nelson played for Harrisburg area youth club Super Nova FC before joining the Union Academy full time at the U12 age group.
“Following a standout season with Union II, we are happy to be able to reward Neil with a first team contract,” said Philadelphia Union Sporting Director, Ernst Tanner. “His combination of size, speed, and defensive strength makes him a great asset to our backline. As a young, dynamic center back with immense potential, we look forward to continuing and supporting his development.”
Pierre’s presence is striking and his size – listed at 6-foot-5 – certainly has aided his rise to the first team but those who have followed him since he was a much younger player in the academy have seen the steady development of areas of his game. His standing not only as a prospect but as someone who is likely to get minutes as a teenager is a testament to his personal work ethic and the staff in the academy who have developed him to this point.
The Union already have two high profile center backs who have come through their development pathway and made their way to Europe.
Pierre likely will be the third, following Auston Trusty and Mark McKenzie to European football and future USMNT call-ups. In the meantime, he gives head coach Bradley Carnell a fourth option at center back with presumed starters Jakob Glesnes, new addition Ian Glavinovich and third year backup Olwethu Makhanya.