Kai Wagner signs a new long-term deal with the Union, finally committing his future here

After months of silence and years of uncertainty, Kai Wagner has pledged his long-term future to the Union.

A source with knowledge of the matter told The Inquirer on Wednesday that the 26-year-old left back has signed a new three-year deal with a team option for a fourth. On Thursday, it became official.

“Kai has proven himself year after year as one of the best left backs in the league, and an integral part of our team success,” Union sporting director Ernst Tanner said in a statement. “With his consistent defending and aggressive attacking style of play, he has greatly contributed to the new milestones the team has achieved every year, and we have full confidence his continued dedication and passion for this club will continue help us reach new heights.”

Wagner considered a range of other offers, but ultimately decided to stay in Chester.

Long one of Major League Soccer’s best left backs, Wagner became a free agent after the 2023 season and was widely expected to find a new club home in Europe. Last fall, there were reports that England’s Brighton, Italy’s Lecce, and Greece’s AEK Athens were among many teams scouting him. Last month, Scotland’s Rangers and France’s Marseille joined the list.

It’s not known how much money those teams offered, but teams of Brighton, AEK, and Marseille’s stature have a lot in the bank. Nor is it known how much the Union offered, but sporting director Ernst Tanner played his hand a while ago and left it up to Wagner to decide.

“I’ve been here for almost five years now and continue to grow professionally and personally,” Wagner said. “I feel highly valued here and have a great bond with the club. My family and I also feel extremely at home here. Despite other exciting options in Europe, I decided to extend my contract with the Philadelphia Union because in the end my heart also played a part in my decision.”

The length of the new deal also matters a lot, especially to the Union. Seemingly every offseason since Wagner’s arrival in early 2019, the German talked about wanting to return to Europe. It was no surprise that the Union got tired of the uncertainty, and it was among the reasons why they were willing to let him go as a free agent after not selling him.

Wagner acknowledged this in his remarks.

“The discussions with the people in charge here were and are characterized by a high level of mutual appreciation,” he said. “For me, there are definitely more good reasons to stay here than to leave. That is why I said yes again to my club with full conviction.”

» READ MORE: The Union will play Brazil’s Flamengo and four MLS teams in the preseason

Union fans wanted Wagner back and said so loudly from the Subaru Park stands throughout the fall. But public sentiment changed when Wagner was suspended three games for using an anti-Asian slur toward New England’s Bobby Wood in the team’s playoff opener. The incident cost Wagner a lot of goodwill and cost his team one of its most important players.

MLS also ordered Wagner to participate in a league-mandated education program and “remain in full compliance with a program directed by a league-appointed restorative practices expert.”

In early December, Tanner said Wagner was “regretting everything” and “doing a fantastic job” with those programs.

Because of when the Union were eliminated from the playoffs, Wagner still has one game left in his suspension. He’ll miss the Feb. 24 regular-season opener against Chicago in Chester. But the suspension does not apply to the Concacaf Champions Cup, so he’ll be able to play in the first-round series against Costa Rica’s Saprissa, Feb. 20 on the road and Feb. 27 at home.

» READ MORE: Union open the season at home vs. Chicago, unlikely to host Lionel Messi

As for the Union’s other major free agent, longtime captain Alejandro Bedoya, he has yet to sign anywhere else. He and the team were in contract talks as of last month, with everyone hoping for a deal — but obviously not on the same terms. The Union wanted Bedoya, who will turn 37 in April, to reduce his salary and playing time. The latter is especially important with many young players in the midfield pipeline.

Striker Julián Carranza is still with the Union as of now despite offers from many European teams. He may yet take one before the season starts. If he doesn’t, the Union will have to sell him in the summer if they want to avoid losing him as a free agent at the end of the year. An extension here seems highly unlikely given the foreign demand for a 23-year-old Argentine striker with a proven finishing touch.

Union players and staff will report to Chester on Sunday for the first day of preseason medical tests, then leave Monday for training camp in Clearwater, Fla. MLS will mark the unofficial start of the year on Thursday with a leaguewide media day showcase in Miami.

» READ MORE: Downingtown’s Zack Steffen returns to MLS, joining the Colorado Rapids