Featured / Union

Tait signed

Photo: Earl Gardner

The Philadelphia Union announced on Tuesday that 21-year-old English defender Joe Tait has been signed.

Tait has featured in two reserve team matches, registering an assist in the 2–0 win over New England reserves. (Noted in our photo essay of that reserve game by Earl Gardner was the fact that Tait was the only unsigned player with his name on his jersey.) Tait also scored in the friendly against Harrisburg City Islanders on August 24 and joins the team from USL PRO club Dayton Dutch Lions.

Tait previously played for PDL side Baton Rouge Capitals, where he was named PDL Defender of the Year.

Tait came to the US in 2009 after accepting a scholarship to play for Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky.

In England, Tait debuted for League One side Hartlepool United in 2007. He captained Hartlepool’s youth team to the League One final in 2007.

Rumors of Tait’s signing surfaced two weeks ago after tweets, since deleted, from his coach and agent in Baton Rouge. Kerith Gabriel wrote on September 2 that a signing announcement was expected shortly. Peter Nowak also referred to Tait, although not by name, at a press conference on August 31.

While the Union did not disclose the terms of Tait’s contract, figures released by the MLS Players Unionon Monday before the signing announcement show him being paid $42,000 a year, the same amount earned by Sheanon Williams.

Along with the signing announcement it was announced that Levi Houapeu has been placed on the Disabled/Season Ending Injury list due to a left ankle strain. Doing so freed up an international spot for Tait.

2 Comments

  1. Santas Grotto says:

    Is this chap a left back? If not, is the only point of bringing him to fill Levi’s place?

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