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Anthony Fontana signs Homegrown contract with Philadelphia Union

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Anthony Fontana, the standout 17-year old who played above his age during preseason, has officially signed with Philadelphia Union as a homegrown player.

Union Sporting Director Earnie Stewart was full of praise for the latest Union signing, saying, “We are delighted to sign Anthony and welcome him to Philadelphia Union as a Homegrown Player. This is a momentous achievement for Anthony and one that he has thoroughly earned through his hard work with our academy and with Bethlehem Steel FC.”

Fontana is the sixth Union homegrown signing, with Derrick Jones and Auston Trusty still on the squad and Zach Pfeffer, Cristhian Hernandez, and Jimmy McLaughlin having already moved on. This season, the midfielder has made three starts and five total appearances for Bethlehem Steel and made a late cameo for the Union in a friendly against Swansea City FC last weekend.

Don’t expect to see Fontana in MLS play this year, though. According to the Union’s official press release, the Newark, Delaware native won’t be added to the club’s active roster until January 1, 2018. Fontana will, however, likely pull on Bethlehem Steel colors numerous times before the end of the year, so Union fans that want to see the club’s latest acquisition in person will have plenty of opportunities to see what he will bring to MLS next year.

7 Comments

  1. Zizouisgod says:

    Great news! Was excited when I first saw him play with the first team in preseason. He’s talented with tremendous potential.

  2. when i saw him in preseason i knew they’d sign him soon

  3. el Pachyderm says:

    Signed him so he didn’t roll.

  4. i thought this was pretty exciting news, i’m surprised there arent more comments on this article

    • el Pachyderm says:

      Many who post here have made it clear … Academy is secondary.
      .
      I’m actually unsurprised.

    • Personally, I’m excited about it. I thought he was great in the preseason and was surprised he wasn’t signed then.
      .
      But in any case, it is a signing for the future not the present, so not much to really say right now.

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