Philadelphia Union announce signing of Danish center back

The incoming transfer of Danish center back Japhet Sery Larsen from Europe was announced on Tuesday by the Philadelphia Union.

The 25-year-old was acquired from Norwegian club SK Brann for a reported transfer fee of around $1.75 million and signed to a contract through the 2028-29 season with an additional club option year. Larsen will occupy an international roster spot.

“Japhet is a proactive, forward-thinking center back who brings valuable experience from his time competing in the UEFA Europa League,” Philadelphia Union Head Coach Bradley Carnell said of his new center back. “His aggressive playing style fits our system well, and we’re confident his high soccer IQ and leadership qualities will be valuable assets to the team this season.”

Larsen spent the past three seasons competing in Norway’s Eliteserien, making 98 appearances in all competitions for Brann, scoring four goals, and played a key role during one of the most successful stretches in club history. Brann finished as runners-up in the Eliteserien in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, while also lifting the Norwegian Cup in 2023. Larsen recorded 28 appearances and two goals during the 2023 campaign and followed that with 30 appearances in 2024 as the club repeated its second-place league finish. Prior to SK Brann, Larsen spent time in Lyngby Academy.

At the continental level, Larsen featured in a UEFA Champions League qualifying match against Salzburg and appeared in three UEFA Europa League group stage matches against Bologna FC, PAOK, and Fenerbahce. Brann concluded the 2025 league season in fourth place and entered the new year in contention to advance to the Round of 16 in the UEFA Europa League. Historically, Brann has been a mainstay in Norwegian football, competing in the country’s topflight for 67 of its 80 seasons, the second most of any club in Norway.

Prior to joining Brann, Larsen featured for FC Midtjylland in Denmark and FK Bodø/Glimt in Norway. Internationally, he has represented Denmark at the U16, U17, U18, U19, and U21 levels.