Philadelphia Union legend Ilsinho announced on Wednesday that he has retired from professional soccer, ending a career that spanned nearly two decades and three continents. The Brazilian midfielder will be honored by the club and become the second person to bang the Union drum pre-game when the club hosts the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night at Subaru Park.
Ilsinho joined the club ahead of the 2016 season and spent six seasons with the Boys in Blue, scoring 22 goals and creating 20 assists. The midfielder terrorized defenders with his five-star skill moves that turned him into the ultimate super-sub later in his career. During his time with the Union he made 130 appearances (56 starts) and is just one of two players to have scored 20+ goals and 20+ assists in club history.
Ilson Pereira Dias Júnior began his soccer career in Brazil, coming up the youth ranks of famed club Palmeiras, with whom he made his professional debut in 2006 as a 21-year-old outside back. Following a move across town to play for Sao Paulo in the Brazilian Serie A, Ilsinho was spotted by Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk and soon made the jump to Europe. During his first stint with Shakhtar, from 2007-2010, he made 62 league appearances and scored 13 goals, lifting two Ukrainian league titles and appearing in both the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League and facing off against Lionel Messi. In 2010, Ilsinho returned to Brazil where he played for both Sao Paulo and Internacional before returning to Shakhtar Donetsk in 2011. During this second stop in Ukraine, he helped the club to three straight league titles and three Ukrainian Super Cups.
Ilsinho will return to Subaru Park on Saturday night where the Union faithful can give him a proper thank you for the countless memories he’s provided. The Brazilian will be down on the pitch pre-game when he becomes the second-ever person to strike the new six-foot-tall bass drum.
Ilsinho is one of a kind, and he’s Forever Philly, so help us give a club legend the applause he so richly deserves.
The Union face off against San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30pm on Saturday, March 12. Ilsinho will bang the drum minutes before the match kicks off, so don’t be late!
Next Home Game
Philadelphia Union are back at Subaru Park for a Saturday night showdown against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 12. Don't miss out on cheering on the Boys in Blue!
