Philadelphia Union acquire 19-year-old center back from

A 19-year-old center back who spent the last two seasons in the USL Championship with North Carolina FC is joining the Philadelphia Union.

The Union announced on Tuesday that they acquired Finn Sundstrom from North Carolina FC and traded their first round MLS SuperDraft pick for 2028 to D.C. United to acquire the young center back’s MLS rights. D.C. United acquired Sundstrom’s MLS rights off waivers. The Union inked him to a three-year contract with club options for 2029 and 2030.

“Finn is a young versatile defender who aligns well with our playing philosophy,” said Philadelphia Union Head Coach, Bradley Carnell. “At just 19 years old, he has demonstrated the toughness and mentality we value at the Union, as well as the ability to adapt to different styles of play. We look forward to continuing his development.”

Sundstrom gives the Union much-needed depth at the center back position with just Olwethu Makhanya and Neil Pierre currently on the roster. Colombian center back Geiner Martinez is reportedly an offseason target as well. That would give the Union four center backs, all age 22 or younger.

A Clayton, N.C. native, Sundstrom came up with the North Carolina FC through their academy from the U-12 age group and up initially as an attacking midfielder but broke into the first team in 2024 after converting to center back in preseason. He was a nominee for the USL Championship Young Player of the Year award after a breakout 2025 campaign and earned a U.S. Under-20s call-up in August. North Carolina FC announced in November that they would be ceasing operations at the end of the season.

Sundstrom is the first acquisition by the Union of a player from the USL Championship since they acquired Oliver Semmle from Louisville City in January 2024. Semmle was loaned to North Carolina FC last season and was recently signed by Lexington SC after his club option was declined by the Union.