Philadelphia Union announce signing of new left back

A new left back has arrived in Chester with the signing of 20-year-old Congolese defender Philippe Ndinga on a permanent transfer from Degorfers IF in Sweden.

Ndinga joins the Union as a U22 Initiative signing and is guaranteed through the 2028-2029 season with an option through 2029-2030 season. Ndinga will be added to the Union’s active roster upon receipt of his P1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate. His transfer fee is reportedly around the $1 million mark, making him the fifth signing of $1 million or more since last season.

“Philippe is a dynamic defender with the ability to play confidently with both feet, which gives us valuable flexibility in the back line,” Philadelphia Union Head Coach Bradley Carnell said in a news release. “His aggressive style of defending fits our system well, and we’re excited to welcome him to the club.”

Ndinga had a productive 2025 campaign with Degerfors IF in Sweden’s topflight, the Allsvenskan. He made 10 league appearances (11 across all competitions) and scored his first professional goal in a 3-1 victory over IK Sirius on September 21, 2025. After joining Degerfors on trial in July 2025, Ndinga signed a contract through the 2029 season and went on to start the club’s final nine matches of the year.

Prior to his time in Sweden, Ndinga developed in France, featuring for Pau FC, USL Dunkerque, and Valenciennes FC across youth and senior levels. During the 2024–25 season with Valenciennes, he made 19 appearances for the reserve side and made his first-team debut in Championnat National action. Since the 2022–23 season, Ndinga has totaled 47 appearances across youth and senior competitions.

Internationally, Ndinga has represented the Republic of Congo at the U20 level, earning three caps at the 2025 Maurice Revello Tournament, where he featured in matches against Japan, Mexico, and Panama. He’s the first player Congolese player to sign with the Union.

He fills an urgent need for a natural left back for the Union following Kai Wagner’s departure to English Championship side Birmingham City FC.

Matthew Ralph

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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