U.S. international midfielder Alejandro Bedoya sealed a move Wednesday to Major League Soccer from French club Nantes.
Bedoya will become a member of the Philadelphia Union, currently fourth place in the Eastern Conference, where he will try to help the team earn a spot in the playoffs.
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"We have laid out very specific goals for our club this season and Alejandro adds the type of quality that can instantly guide us in achieving them," Union director Earnie Stewart said in a statement. "He's a tremendous player in the prime of his career and we're thrilled to welcome him to the club."
Philadelphia obtained Bedoya's rights via a trade with the Chicago Fire. The Union landed the top spot in the league's allocation order for returning MLS players and select U.S. internationals. Philadelphia used that spot to acquire Bedoya, per ESPN.
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Chicago received $100,000 in general allocation money and $75,000 in targeted allocation money, a 2017 first-round draft pick and discovery rights on a player whose name was not disclosed, as well as Philadelphia's place in the allocation order, which is now No. 1.
Bedoya, 29, has been a key member of Nantes, but the French club decided to cash in on his $1 million transfer fee.
The Union are happy to have him.
"He (Bedoya) brings us a boost at the right moment, and we do need a little boost right now," Union coach Jim Curtin said.