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MLS Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union Sign Mexican National Team Midfielder Marco Fabian

February 8, 2019 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Philadelphia Union News Release


CHESTER, Pa. - Philadelphia Union announced today that the club has agreed to a deal with German Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt for the transfer of two-time FIFA World Cup and Mexico National Team midfielder Marco Fabián (pronounced: Fah-bee-AHN). Fabián 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 as a Designated Player.

"We have been targeting Marco as a creative midfielder and we are extremely happy to complete this deal to bring him to Philadelphia," said Ernst Tanner, Union Sporting Director. "Marco is a high caliber number 10, a true professional, and we believe he is a good fit for our system. He has played the game at the highest levels, whether in the German Bundesliga or of course with the Mexican National Team at multiple FIFA World Cups and the Olympic Games. We are looking forward to welcoming Marco as we turn our attention to the final phase of our preseason in Clearwater, followed by the season opener on March 2 vs. Toronto FC."

Tanner and Union head coach Jim Curtin will be available via conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET today to discuss today's transaction. 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 all lines 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.

Members of the media are also invited to cover Fabián's introduction to Union fans at tonight's kit launch party at the Wharf (2501 Seaport Drive, Chester PA 19013). Photos, b-roll, and interviews will be available. The presentation is set to begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. ET with interviews available shortly afterward. Please RSVP with Ryan Schwepfinger in order to receive the most up-to-date information. This note is intended for media planning only and is not for public consumption.

Fabián is a decorated player for both club and country. In Liga MX, he won the 2013-14 Concacaf Champions League with Cruz Azul as well as the 2015 Apertura Copa MX with Guadalajara. After transferring to Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, he helped the side win the 2017-18 German Cup, beating Bayern Munich in the final. With the Mexican National Team, he captured the 2012 Olympic gold medal in London, and has appeared in both the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups.

PLAYER BIO: Marco Fabián

Playing for the past three calendar years in the Bundesliga, Fabián originally joined Frankfurt midway through the 2015-16 season, where he notched an assist in his debut against VfL Wolfsburg on January 24, 2016. He totaled seven goals and four assists in his first full campaign, in 2016-17. Last season, Fabián helped Frankfurt capture a major trophy with the German Cup victory, making appearances in both the quarterfinals and the semifinals.

Prior to moving to Germany, Fabián played for eight years in his native Mexico, coming up through the academy system of Chivas Guadalajara and debuting for the club's first team in late 2007. Across all competitions, he made a total of 232 appearances for the club, scoring 57 goals while adding 36 assists.

Highlights of Fabián's tenure with Guadalajara include scoring in the final of the 2010 Copa Libertadores vs. Brazilian club Internacional, scoring seven goals across a six-match span in the 2010-11 Liga MX Clausura, and recording a hat trick against Estudiantes in the 2011-12 Liga MX Apertura. He also notched a hat trick in the 2012-13 Concacaf Champions League against W Connection.

After the 2013-14 Liga MX Apertura, he joined fellow Mexican side Cruz Azul on a loan deal. He scored five goals in that season's Clausura for the team, and also helped them win the 2013-14 Concacaf Champions League. Fabián was a key player in that tournament, starting both legs of the final. He recorded the championship-winning assist on Mariano Pavone's away goal that clinched the tournament.

Internationally, Fabián has been a mainstay in the Mexican National Team, totaling 42 senior caps to date. He made his debut in early 2012 in a friendly against Venezuela, where he totaled two assists. His major tournament debut came in the 2013 Gold Cup, where he played every match for El Tri.

Fabián was named to the Mexican side for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he appeared in each of the team's group stage contests against Cameroon, Brazil and Croatia. He was also a part of the Mexican side for the 2017 Confederations Cup and once again at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he made one appearance, in the group stage against Sweden.

With the Mexican Under-23s, Fabián captured the 2012 Olympic Qualifying Tournament title, scoring the game-tying goal in the final and tying for the tournament lead with five goals. He then helped Mexico win the Toulon Tournament in preparation for the Olympics in London, which he also won, securing the gold medal with a victory over Brazil at Wembley Stadium.

TRANSACTION: Philadelphia Union sign midfielder Marco Fabián on February 8, 2019. He will be added to the active roster following receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P1 Visa and will occupy an international roster slot as a Designated Player.

Name: Marco Fabián (pronounced: Fah-bee-AHN)

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5'7"

Weight: 143

Born: July 21, 1989 in Guadalajara, Mexico

Hometown: Guadalajara, Mexico

Citizenship: Mexico

Acquired: Philadelphia Union sign midfielder Marco Fabián on February 8, 2019

Previous Experience: Eintracht Frankfurt (2016-2019), Guadalajara (2007-2015), Cruz Azul (2014)

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