Philadelphia Union
Best XI left back Kai Wagner re-signs with the Philadelphia Union
Kai Wagner is back!
The Philadelphia Union announced the return of the Best XI left back to the squad on Friday, acquiring the team’s all-time assist leader from Birmingham City for about $1.5 million more than they sold him for seven months ago.
Wagner was signed to a designated player spot on the roster and inked a deal guaranteed through the 2028-2029 season with an option for 2029-2030.
Because it’s the roster rule overkill MLS, the Union also had to acquire the top spot in the waiver order to make the deal, which they did with $100,000 in 2026 general allocation money they acquired from Sporting Kansas City in exchange for a 2026 international roster spot. Sporting Kansas City also received the Union’s No. 22 position in the waiver order.
“Coming back to Philadelphia feels incredibly meaningful for me and my family,” Wagner said in a news release. “Over the years, this city has become our home, and returning was a decision that came from the heart,” said Wagner. “My time away gave me the opportunity to experience a new challenge, but it also reinforced how much this club, this city, and our supporters mean to me. There’s something special about representing the Union and playing in front of our fans. I believe in what this club stands for, its culture, ambition, and commitment to competing at the highest level. I’m excited to be back, and grateful for the opportunity to help write the next chapter.”
After selling Wagner to Birmingham City in January for a reported $2.5 million fee, the Union went out and spent about $1 million to acquire 20-year-old left back Phillippe Ndinga from Swedish club Degerfors IF but the inverted left back had a slow start to the season and the lack of production from the usually potent left flank under Wagner’s watch was clear. Wagner, meanwhile, excelled on the field in the English Championship, recording a goal and three assists in 1,609 minutes over 18 appearances.
The Union’s fortunes went in the opposite direction after Wagner’s departure and led to the firing of head coach Bradley Carnell after the team won just one game out of 15 to start the season before the World Cup break. Sporting Director Jon Scheer also had his interim tag removed while Ernst Tanner quietly exited the team. The team has since parted ways with veteran right back Olivier Mbaizo and made additional moves to promote within, including moving second team head coach Ryan Richter to interim head coach while also promoting coaches within the organization (Fred da Silva, Ben Moane and Henry Apaloo) to the first team technical staff.
Rather than change the approach of the team that has won a pair of Supporters’ Shields but no major cups since joining the league in 2010, the ownership and front office has signaled they are leaning perhaps even more heavily into the homegrown identity and marketing strategy of the club. Re-acquiring Wagner fits in with that approach.
“He’s been an integral part of this club’s success and has consistently established himself as one of the top left backs in Major League Soccer,” Scheer said in a news release. “Kai understands what this club represents, what our supporters expect, and the standards we hold ourselves to every day. We’re confident he’ll make an immediate impact this season as we pursue our goals and be an important part of our club’s future.”
The Union return to MLS regular-season action on Wednesday, July 22, when they host Red Bull New York for Rivalry Night at Subaru Park. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on Apple TV.
