Photo: Earl Gardner
The Union signed eight-year MLS veteran centerback Aurelien Collin to a contract, the team announced on Tuesday morning.
Collin, who has 176 MLS appearances to his name, joins up with Philadelphia for the start of the club’s MLS preseason, which started today with training at Penn Park.
Union sporting director Ernst Tanner described Collin as “an incredibly decorated player who adds important leadership and veteran qualities to our locker room, particularly with our young defenders.”
The burly Frenchman made his name with Sporting Kansas City, where he made 107 regular season and 10 playoff appearances in four seasons. Notably, Collin banged in three goals in the 2013 playoffs, including the equalizing goal in MLS Cup which earned Collin MVP honors in that game. He is a three-time MLS All-Star.
Leaving Kansas City after the 2014 season, Collin played two and a half seasons with each of Orlando City and New York Red Bulls. He started five games for Red Bulls in the 2018 season.
With the Union, Collin will provide much-needed experience in a centerback group that includes starlets Auston Trusty and Mark McKenzie, as well as 23-year-old Jack Elliott.
While Collin is unlikely to see much playing time if the three younger players remain healthy, he will be counted on as a presence in the locker room. Only C.J. Sapong has more MLS appearances in his career than Collin.
The Union’s roster now stands at 23 players.
I’m fine with this if he’s being paid like a depth player should be. Let’s just say that’s not always been the Union’s way of doing things.
100%. This must be at the veteran minimum to be a good deal.
Collin provided me with one of my favorite Union memories. When Coner Casey flattened him seconds after coming on for the first time in a Union jersey. Collin had been beating the s*** out of (wasn’t it?) Jack Mac all game up to that point.
LOL. I remember Casey blatantly giving Collin elbows to the head on every free kick. I’m a little disappointed that I won’t be able to make fun of him anymore.
Treat him like Matt Geiger and it’ll be fine.
The whole preseason roster is meh
Two things: How much? And WHOA! a signing from within MLS… a rarity for our Union
Any news on the forward from Germany? Trialist?
21 y/o.
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in a German lower division, maybe 4th.
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transfermarkt lists him as 5’9″, unlike the Union’s preseason roster sheet which says 6’4″
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transfermarkt values him at 75 K euros.
My all time least favorite MLS player (or maybe 2nd after Rafa Marquez).
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If memory serves, my favorite memory of his at PPL Park was during the all-star game when he got hurt. (Normally I don’t root for injuries but in his case I made an exception.)
Adam Cann’s report accidentally states “Recently signed goalie Carlos Miguel Coronel and Collin give Philly a very solid look in back”, so it looks like the Coronel rumor is true and coming soon
Nice spy, Mark. Doubtful Blake’s going anywhere but it’s never bad to ink a young talent (though he takes an int’l spot).
Just looked at Red Bulls 2018 roster. Collin did not take an international spot on it, for what that info is worth.
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neither did Accam, Fabinho, Ilsinho and Blake on the Union’s as of October 30th 2018.
Burke, Elliott, Mbaizo, Medunjanin, and Pryzbylko were all internationals as of 10/30/2018.
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Santos and Coronel add two more for a total of seven already.
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if both the CM/AM (Dockal replacement) and the left back are internationals, the will need some of that draft pick GAM to buy the ninth international slot.
Really taking a wait and see approach to the whole thing. Other than the Rosenberry trade,no real head scratchers. But time will tell. Hell just signing a vet. from the MLS is something new! So maybe the glasses are rosie. I’m ok with that!
Wonder what is happening to his clothing line: https://www.whatahowler.com/httpswhatahowler-com201610aurelien-collin-has-a-menswear-line-and-frankly-we-understand-why-hes-defensive-html/
beautiful find. thanks for sharing.
Good signing we need someone who’s a real professional in the back line. He needs to start and show the “kids” how to distribute and defend under pressure. His record is quite good I’m the MLS and he made a name for himself in the MLS and that’s not an easy task nor does the Union acquire players like this often. Welcome Collin!
I would love to see him get some serious run. However, I fear we will be fierce-fed the overrated Academy twins…