MLS Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union Sign Forward Sergio Santos

Published on December 14, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Philadelphia Union News Release


CHESTER, Pa. - Philadelphia Union announced today that the club has completed the signing of Brazilian forward Sergio Santos using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM). Santos joins Philadelphia from Chilean Primera Division club Audax Italiano in exchange for an undisclosed transfer fee. He will be added to the Union's active roster following receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P1 Visa and will occupy an international roster slot.

Santos, 24, scored nine goals across 16 league appearances during the 2018 season for Audax, leading the club in scoring and tying for 10th in the league.

"Sergio is a young forward with potential and we are pleased to complete his signing," said Ernst Tanner, Union Sporting Director. "When we met with him in Chile, it became apparent that he is a good fit for our club both as a player and as a person. He took an unconventional route going to Chile on his own at age 19, but we have observed rapid improvement and development at Audax, and believe he is ready for this next step. We next look forward to integrating him as quickly as possible with the team at the start of preseason."

Ernst Tanner will be available via conference call at 11:00 a.m. ET today to discuss the signing of Sergio Santos. Members of the media may join the call by dialing 800-582-3014 and entering the code 17252609, followed by the pound sign (#) for access to the call. Please remember to mute your line for the duration of the call, unless asking a question. Ryan Schwepfinger of Philadelphia Union Communications will moderate. Timing and availability are subject to change.

Santos has spent his entire professional career in Chile with Audax, making his first team debut on April 19, 2015 with a substitute appearance. The next season (2015-16), he appeared 19 times, scoring three goals, including his first career tally as part of a 2-1 win against Cobresal on October 15.

Following a transition to a calendar-year format for the 2017 season, Santos helped Audax qualify for the 2018 Copa Sudamericana following a fifth place finish. He scored four goals in 14 games across that transitional season. Last year, he broke out with nine goals in 16 games, as well as one goal in one Copa Sudamericana appearance against Botafogo. He also helped Audax to the Copa Chile final, where the side finished as runners-up to Palestino.

TRANSACTION: Philadelphia Union sign forward Sergio Santos on December 14, 2018 using Targeted Allocation Money. He will be added to the active roster following receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P1 Visa.

Name: Sergio Santos

Position: Forward

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 181

Born: September 4, 1994 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Hometown: Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Citizenship: Brazil

Acquired: Philadelphia Union sign forward Sergio Santos on December 14, 2018

Previous Experience: Audax Italiano (2015-2018)

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