USL

Bethlehem Steel FC signs academy product Cole Turner

BST_Cole_Turner_Signing

CHESTER, Pa. (July 17, 2019) – Bethlehem Steel FC announced today that the club has signed Academy Product Cole Turner to a USL Championship contract for the remainder of 2019. The deal is pending league and federation approval.


Additionally, the 18-year-old midfielder has also signed a pre-contract with the Philadelphia Union, which will take effect on January 1, 2020. At that time, Turner is slated to become the 11th Homegrown Player in Union history.


Turner becomes one of six current Academy Products signed to the Steel FC roster, while the Union first team also has six Homegrown Players, totaling 12 players from the Union Academy currently signed to professional contracts within the organization.


“We are very happy to have completed the signing of Cole Turner,” said Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner. “He has a strong knowledge of the game and a sharp awareness — the type of player who always seems to be in the right position in central midfield. He is an exciting young prospect and we are looking forward to helping him grow as a professional.”


Turner spent five years in the Philadelphia Union Academy’s Residency Program and played with the Academy’s U13/14, U16/17 and U18/19 squads. Over the course of his time with the Academy, he made 65 appearances, 52 starts and scored eight goals. Turner joined Steel FC at the club’s preseason-training camp in Clearwater, Florida prior to this season.


Turner has gained experience with Steel FC while playing for the club on an academy contract. He has started in seven of the Steel’s matches so far this season, making a total of 11 appearances, while providing one assist. Turner recorded his first assist for Steel FC in the club’s 3-0 win over Hartford Athletic on June 28. Internationally, the midfielder has also received a call-up from the United States Under-14 Boys’ National Team.


TRANSACTION: Bethlehem Steel FC signs midfielder Cole Turner on July 17, 2019; Turner also signs a pre-contract with Philadelphia Union, effective 1/1/20.


Name: Cole Turner
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 175
Hometown: Churchville, MD
Born: July 7, 2001
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Bethlehem Steel FC signs midfielder Cole Turner on July 17, 2019; Turner also signs a pre-contract with Philadelphia Union, effective 1/1/20