The Philadelphia Union announced the signing of Stuart Findlay on Thursday, Feb. 25, at around 11:00 am ET. The six-foot-two-inch Scottish center back comes from the Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock FC. In his three-and-half-year stint at the club, he made one hundred and seventeen appearances tallying eleven goals and three assists across all competitions. Stuart Findlay bolsters the backline!
Stuart Findlay bolsters the backline
The left-footed center back comes in to add some depth to the position joining Elliot and Gelsnes however, the starters in the middle of the backline are far from a certainty. After the departure of Mark McKenzie, I am sure all three see themselves as the best eleven players under Jim Curtin. His versatility makes him a great signing for Philadelphia
Defender and goal scorer
Findlay, as shown by his stats, is not just strong on the defensive end, but lethal in opposing teams’ boxes as well. He has the height to attack the ball in the air and a decent nose for goal. Especially, for someone whose primary job is to keep the ball out of the net. His best goal from what I’ve seen though was a left-footed strike from about twelve yards out. It leathered into the side netting to give Kilmarnock a one-nil win over Hearts in 2019. He comes in with a skill the Union scouts clearly look for in that a center back must be able to absolutely crush balls into opposing teams’ nets e.g., Glesnes’ free-kick and Mark McKenzie’s twenty-five-plus yard screamer last year.
Ernst Tanner magic
The Union managed to pull some magic out of their hat with this transfer as well. In typical Ernst Tanner fashion, it is rumored that Findlay was purchased for three hundred thousand dollars which is slightly less than half of what his market value is per Transfermarkt. This shrewd bit of business not only kept the majority of the Mckenzie and Aaronson funds in-tact but was necessary with only two center backs currently in the club. It will be exciting to what Findlay brings to the table and his experience at top levels of soccer will be vital in this team replicating and surpassing lasts year’s fantastic season.
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