Philadelphia Union sign 20-year-old USYNT midfielder Leon Flach

CHESTER, Pa. – Philadelphia Union announced today that they have signed German-American midfielder Leon Flach from F.C. St. Pauli to a two-year contract with a club option for a third and fourth year in exchange for an undisclosed transfer fee.

The U.S. youth international player will be added to the Union’s active roster effective immediately. Flach is the Union’s second signing following the teams’ historic 2020 Supporters’ Shield victory.

“We’re excited to welcome Leon to the Philadelphia Union. He is a promising young prospect who brings versatility to the field with his ability to play multiple positions in the midfield as well as left back,” said Ernst Tanner, Philadelphia Union Sporting Director. “Adding a natural left-footed player to our roster will allow for options and creativity in the midfield and we look forward to watching him develop in our system.”

?BANGER?

Excited to have ya in Philly, Leon! pic.twitter.com/kWPExnJpZR

— PhilaUnion? (@PhilaUnion) March 31, 2021

Born in Humble, Texas, Flach holds dual German and U.S. citizenship. He comes to Philadelphia from the second tier German Bundesliga club F.C. St. Pauli, the same club the Union previously signed fan-favorite Fafa Picault from in 2017. He made his professional debut for the club in September 2020 and would go on to make nine appearances. He scored his first professional goal for the club on January 3, 2021 in a match vs. Greuther Furth.

Previously, Flach came up through the F.C. St Pauli youth system, where he played for St. Pauli Youth in 2016 and went on to play for St. Pauli’s U17 and U19 teams before signing with the first team on July 1, 2020.

Internationally, Flach has made two appearances for the German U18 Youth National Team and is a current USMNT U20 international. His first call up to represent the U.S. was for a U20 camp in in January 2020 where he featured in a 2-0 victory in a friendly vs. Mexico.

TRANSACTION: Philadelphia Union sign defensive midfielder Leon Flach on March 31, 2021.
Name: Leon Flach
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 160
Born: Feb. 28, 2001
Hometown: Humble, Texas
Citizenship: United States & Germany
Acquired: Philadelphia Union midfielder Leon Flach on March 31, 2021.
Previous Experience: F.C St. Pauli (2020-2021)