The Philadelphia Union brought back three players to add to their depth for the 2019 Major League Soccer season.
Left back Fabinho, defensive midfielder Warren Creavalle and forward Kacper Przybylko were signed to deals for the 2019 season, the club announced Monday morning.
“We are pleased to have reached agreements for all three players to return to our club,” said Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner. “Fabinho is such an important leader for our club, a valued player and person who truly is the heartbeat of our locker room.
“Warren’s ball-winning skills fit well under our tactical philosophy, and we are encouraged with Kacper’s progress in regaining full fitness. All three are important depth pieces for us and we look forward to welcoming them back.”
In six seasons with the Union, Fabinho’s made 121 appearances and contributed two goals and 15 assists.
The Brazilian left back is the heartbeat of the locker room, and in addition to being a positive influence on the team, he’ll provide necessary depth at full back as the club integrates Matt Real into the starting lineup at left back after the Homegrown player developed with United Soccer League side Bethlehem Steel in 2018.
The 28-year-old Creavalle provides depth at one of the deepest positions on the roster for the Union, as he’ll back up Haris Medunjanin, Alejandro Bedoya and Derrick Jones in the middle of the park.
2019 will be Creavalle’s fifth with the Union after he spent three years with Houston and two with Toronto FC.
Przybylko is still an unknown quantity, as he didn’t appear for the club following his signing at the back end of the 2018 campaign.
The 25-year-old forward, who spent time at a handful of German clubs, adds to the growing depth at forward, with new signing Sergio Santos, C.J. Sapong and Cory Burke in front of him.
After Monday’s signings, the Union’s roster stands at 19 players for the 2019 campaign.