Philadelphia Union announced Wednesday morning that the club has signed midfielder Leon Flach. Here are some fast facts on the Union's newest player.
- Flach is a dual citizen having been born in Humble, Texas, to German parents and grew up in Germany. As a result, Flach will not occupy an international roster spot on the Union's 2021 roster.
- Flach has represented both Germany and the United States in international competitions. Flach appeared in two matches with the German U18 squad in 2019 and most recently represented the U.S. at the U20 level in 2020. With the US, he started at left back in a 2-0 victory over Mexico.
- Flach is a versatile player and can cover many positions within the Union's 4-4-2 diamond. According to Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner, Flach can play as a defensive midfielder (No. 6), box-to-box midfielder (No. 8) and at the left back spot.
- He comes to Philadelphia from the second tier German Bundesliga club F.C. St. Pauli, the same club the Union previously signed fan favorite Fafa Picault.
- Flach came up through the F.C. St. Pauli youth system, playing with the U17 and U19 teams before going pro on July 1, 2020. A few months later, he made his pro debut and would go on to make nine appearances.
- Flach scored his first professional goal earlier this year on January 3, 2021 with a finish against Greuther Furth.
