Union sign Forward Yann Ekra

Yann Ekra signed with the Philadelphia Union today, as is customary, the details and duration of his contract are unknown. The Ivorian International spent the last two seasons with The Harrisburg City Islanders, the Union's USL PRO affiliate.

Ekra pkayed 45 matches for the Islanders this term, scoring 11 times. The 5'11" former Islander will occupy what appears to be the Union's sixth International roster place.

He is described by Ray Stellhorn USL PRO editor at Reckless Challenge as

"Yann is primarily a central attacking midfielder, who has been deployed very effectively behind the strikers all season. He is possibly the most underrated player on the Islanders. He is strong on the ball and quick."

He joins an Internation contingent of 2 Brazillians in Kleberson and Fabinho, a Colmbian in Torres, the Tobagan Daniel, and German Kolorov. Along with Sierra Leonian Lahoud and naturalized Frenchman LeToux. Off the field, the African should have no problem finding a place to feel comfortable, on it is an entirely different matter.

This move could be the link man with hustleability that coach John Hackworth has been looking for. Although its hard to imagine Ekra replacing Kleberson, Farfan or even Wheeler as a central attacking midfielder, one should always keep in mind that Shaennon Williams also spent a season or two with the Islanders before me made his Union debut and has been ever present since.