The Union have made their first move after the Jim Curtin era, announcing on Thursday afternoon that they have reached an agreement on a new contract with Olivier Mbaizo. The new deal will see the Cameroonian defender guaranteed under contract through the 2026 season, with options for both 2027 and 2028.
Union reward consistent Mbaizo
Olivier Mbaizo joined Bethlehem Steel FC in 2018, who were the USL affiliate of the Union at the time. He would eventually make his Union debut, and end up becoming a key part of the defense for years to come.
This past year, Mbaizo appeared in 21 matches for the club, starting in 12 of them. He would also contribute two assists on the year, making it 13 throughout his Union career in MLS play. Even though he did not play often, Mbaizo slotted in at the right back spot when needed, providing important depth when needed.
Ernst Tanner talked about the new deal for Mbaizo:
“Olivier has been a consistent contributor to our backline since joining us in 2018. His speed and agility, along with his increasingly accurate passing percentage, continue to make him a valuable asset to the team and we are happy to have come to an agreement.”
Mbaizo’s contract was slated to end at the end of 2024, so Tanner made sure to get his contract figured out before what will be an important offseason for the future of the club. They still are looking for a new manager after sacking Jim Curtin, along with more roster moves most likely coming. It will be an interesting couple of months before the 2025 season, and Philly Sports Network will have you covered the entire time!
Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-Imagn Images
