[Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union]
On Tuesday morning, the Philadelphia Union officially announced the signing of Milan Iloski on a permanent transfer from FC Nordsjælland. He will join the active roster following receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Iloski has signed a contract with the Club through 2027 with an option for 2028.
Iloski, 26, signed a loan deal with San Diego FC in April, where he scored 10 goals across 14 appearances (3 starts). The American forward made MLS history by scoring four goals in 12 minutes against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the fastest four-goals scored by a single player in MLS history.
Given his success with the club, San Diego took up negotiations with Iloski for a permanent deal. Upon a stalemate in negotiations, San Diego terminated his loan and the Union swooped in.
To advance the Union’s waiver priority to be the first in line, the Union sent $100,000 of General Allocation Money (GAM) plus $150,000 in contingent GAM to CF Montreal for the first overall waiver slot. Notably, the Union acquired $100,000 of GAM in the David Vazquez loan deal to San Diego, so moving Vazquez not only freed up roster space for Iloski, it also provided resources for Ernst Tanner and company to make the deal happen.
“Milan is a dynamic, instinctive goal scorer who thrives in attacking transition,” said Ernst Tanner, Sporting Director, Philadelphia Union. “His ability to convert goal chances is extraordinary, and he has a willingness to defend. We look forward to integrating him into the team quickly.”
Iloski becomes one of four choices in the attacking spot for the Union, and it looks to be a great bit of business for the Supporters’ Shield leaders.
However, among the Union faithful, the excitement over the new attacking signing may be muted. Iloski’s signing spurs questions regarding the future of prodigious goal-scorer and MLS All Star MVP Tai Baribo, along with that of his strike partner Mikael Uhre.
Rumors of interest in Baribo from other MLS clubs and Brazilian side Fluminense have swirled in recent weeks. Those rumors only grew stronger when he was excluded from the roster for the Eintracht Frankfurt friendly on Saturday (though he is back in training ahead of this Saturday’s home game against Toronto).
Uhre’s contract is up at the end of this season, and has seen a slightly diminished role with the arrival of Bruno Damiani at the beginning of the season. Iloski is not reported to be on a DP contract, which is a positive takeaway regarding what the future will hold for both Baribo and Uhre for the remainder of the season. But Iloski is a player who knows MLS and has proven to be effective both off the bench and as a starter.
The Escondido, CA native can certainly score goals. This notion is further bolstered by his 43 goals in 70 matches with USL Championship side Orange County SC, featuring a golden boot winning season in 2022. Iloski, an American college soccer product, also played three seasons at UCLA where he registered 23 goals in 46 appearances.
The Union will be keen to add his goal-scoring prowess and strong ability in transition into the striker rotation once Iloski’s ITC is finalized – which can have a varying timeline.
For me best case scenario is letting Uhre go after contract expires and elevating Baribo to DP. Worst case is Baribo being sold and leaving right away. But love the Iloski signing. When I first saw him I immediately thought we need someone like that.
Isn’t worst case scenario promoting Donovan to top starter? I mean he did score a goal against the Frankfurt reserves.
His name is pronounced, “Julian Carranza.”
This is a fantastic signing. Still can’t understand how San Diego let him leave. Dude was absolutely tearing it up for them, and he’s a hometown boy.
I’d much rather see Iloski playing for the Nats than Ageyman.
Great signing IMO, now beat the Red Bulls in the Open Cup.
Well, if Baribo is leaving, it’s odd that he took the time to get his green card as reported by Jonathan Tannenwald today.
He would need it at NYCFC, right?
If we can keep Baribo, this will certainly be a massive upgrade. Otherwise, it is less than a wash. We could have this position stable for a while if Baribo can get a new DP deal next year. We should bring Uhre back and move Damiani next year, too. Uhre’s size, stand up play and stretching the lines compliments Strikers like Baribo and Iloski, more so than Damiani’s play has shown. I hope we are loading up for a US Open Cup, Shield and MLS Cup run, and not just proctively replacing Baribo. Treble, anyone? Shout out to Donovan, too. The kid runs his butt off and bagged a nice goal this week, against Frankfurt. Hold the line now, Ernst.
Damiani is still getting used to the League. I expect him to get hot at the end of the season into next. E.g. Carranza, Baribo, etc.
Damiani has also been amazingly unlucky this season. Dude has had 3-4 sure goals saved.
So, he can play Striker or Winger eh? I have a hunch Carnell might play him opposite Sullivan as one of the 10’s in his system.
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While it seems clear one of Uhre or Baribo will be gone next season, assuming they both stay for now, the Union are suddenly A LOT more dangerous than they were yesterday.
Love the signing. But I was hoping for a “dribbley-boi”. Like an Ilsinho player who can break open a low block D.
Read Tannewald’s article on philly.com. san Diego tried to help us out by voiding his loan deal a day before it expired so he wouldn’t have to go thru waivers. His danish club also voided his contract (same owner as San Diego). It also explains us loaning SD two guys from union 2.
And then MLS got involved and said both teams were breaking the rules and he had to go thru waivers, which cost us $100k to get Montreal’s waiver spot. Of course we all know that had it been Miami or LAFC instead of us, Garber would have changed the rules and given it his immediate blessing.
I wish MLSSoccer.com would explain how Miami can have brought in their new midfielder. While MLS worries about how the Union get Iloski.
This is from Tom Bogert’s x account:
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“The explanation I’m told, per sources, as to why Rodrigo De Paul can be a TAM player and not DP:
– Miami paying him below DP threshold for 2025. That is only figure that matters in salary cap (irrespective of what Atleti is or isn’t paying)
– Miami told the league there is no guaranteed promise on purchase option (if there was something guaranteed, he couldn’t be TAM)
– This was only way it could happen. RDP wanted to play with Messi in Miami.
Again, if purchase option is picked up this winter (as firmly expected) he will be DP for 2026. Sergio Busquets’ contract expires this winter, so Miami will have the DP spot”
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Further down in that thread it is indicated that de Paul’s current wages are at least 5M euros. So, given that there is no guarantee of a purchase option (according to Bogert’s sources) de Paul’s current club would be on the hook for paying him if the option isn’t picked up. That doesn’t pass the smell test – no way Atletico makes this deal if there’s a chance they’re stuck with him.
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This is good deal for Miami, Miami’s fans, and maybe the other MLS owners. Everyone else gets screwed. Garber should have stepped in and stopped this, declaring that it is not in the interests of fair competition.
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I believe that this is same type of deal that LA used to get Gareth Bale.
^^^^
Beat them in the playoffs and let them keep breaking the rules.
For all the Baribo rumors, the one that had me worried was wit Fluminense. But they just signed Lucho Acosta, which makes it unlikely they are going to also add Baribo.
It’s feeling more and more like this says something about Uhre. Maybe the U resign Uhre in the offseason for a non-DP contract. That would be the best scenario, IMHO. That gives great striker depth, plus Iloski can play multiple positions, giving formation flexibility.
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Either way, I’m not going to be part of the panic that sees this as a sign that our leading scorer is on his way out. I’m going to see it as Ernst being opportunistic and strengthening the squad at a great price.
Agreed. Whether we re-sign Baribo or not, this is an excellent depth signing. Uhre has value but has bit justified DP-level money, so I will not be surprised if he’s gone after this season.
David Vazquez goes to SD and starts and goes 90 in their Leagues Cup game and notches an assist. This academy is producing MLS-ready talent!