Kai Wagner has signed a new contract with Philadelphia Union while putting an end to speculation linking the left-back with West Ham United and Fulham, as reported by MLS Soccer.
As fans of Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid and Monaco will tell you, success comes with its own pitfalls.
And, after finishing top of the MLS Eastern Conference last year, Philadelphia Union have had to deal with the departures of two key players.
USA international centre-back Mark McKenzie departed for Genk last week amid interest from Celtic, while Brenden ‘the American Havertz’ Aaronson become the latest wonder-kid to enroll in Red Bull Salzburg’s esteemed finishing school.
But with the league’s finest left-back putting pen to paper on a new contract, at least Wagner will be staying for a few more months at least.
“We are delighted to have come to an agreement with Kai on a new deal,” said Ernst Tanner, Union’s sporting director.
“Kai has been one of the best left-backs in our league since he arrived, and we believe he is still far from his ceiling. We ask our defenders to dominate an entire flank by themselves, and Kai continually shows he is up to the challenge.”
The Mail reported in November that West Ham and Fulham had identified Wagner as a bargain £3.5 million target heading into the winter window.
The former Schalke youngster, meanwhile, told Kicker that he was keen on a move to Europe.
“I’ll be 24 in February, so I think I’ll have to change (clubs) soon. I am ready for one of the top three leagues in Europe – the Bundesliga, the Premier League or Spain, if you like,” he said.
But, with West Ham prioritising a new striker instead, Wagner will have to wait before he follows in McKenzie’s and Aaronson’s footsteps.
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