Photo: Marjorie Elzey

Philadelphia Union made one final addition to the roster before kicking off the 2025 season, acquiring midfielder Indiana Vassilev from St. Louis CITY on Friday morning.

The Union sent a guaranteed $1 million in allocation money to St. Louis to complete the signing, with an additional $250,000 conditional on certain performance metrics. St. Louis also retains a future sell-on percentage.

The deal reunites Vassilev, 24, with Union manager Bradley Carnell, who brought him to St. Louis as part of the club’s 2023 expansion roster.

“Indiana is an extremely versatile and hardworking player who embodies the qualities we are looking for to enhance our roster,” Union sporting director Ernst Tanner said in a press release. “His technical abilities, dedication, and potential for growth make him a valuable addition to our squad.”

Originally from Savannah, Georgia, Vassilev appeared in 63 matches (48 starts) over the past two years for St. Louis, notching five goals and nine assists as a key cog in their midfield. His performances earned him a first call-up to the U.S. men’s national team for this winter’s training camp, where he made two appearances in friendlies.

Before joining St. Louis, Vassilev spent two years with Inter Miami. He started his career at Aston Villa, where he made six appearances for the senior team in 2019-20. Vassilev also went on loan to Burton Albion and Cheltenham Town duing his time with Villa.

Vassilev is a tactically versatile player who should give Carnell flexibility in building his midfield. He joins veterans Daniel Gazdag and Alejandro Bedoya, youngster Quinn Sullivan, and recent acquisitions Jovan Lukic and Danley Jean Jacques as senior options in midfield.

Vassilev will wear the No. 19 shirt for the Union.

Olivas signs Homegrown contract

The Union also signed Homegrown forward Sal Olivas to a four-year contract on Thursday.

“Sal is an ambitious, young striker who made significant strides in his development with Union II last season,” said Tanner.

Olivas, 18, is a Union Academy graduate who has notched four goals and one assist for Union II over the past two seasons.

He will wear No. 77 for the Union.

Philadelphia kicks off the 2025 MLS regular season tomorrow on the road against Orlando City SC. Kickoff from Inter&Co Stadium is at 7:30 p.m., with the match broadcast on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.