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There was a new face at the Union's practice today. Twenty-two year old Chilean attacking midfielder Santiago Dittborn is on trial, per tweets from beat writers Matthew De George and Marc Narducci.
Union trialist in camp: Chilean Santiago Dittborn @MLSTransfers @UnionRumors
— Matthew De George (@sportsdoctormd) July 8, 2015
Curtin said Dittborn "has impressed over first three days." Saw him finish a couple of nice shots in shooting drills.
— Matthew De George (@sportsdoctormd) July 8, 2015
#DOOP #MLS Here is midfielder Santiago Dittborn of Chile who is a trialist for the Union pic.twitter.com/tIUMo9rHAi
— Marc Narducci (@sjnard) July 8, 2015
Dittborn was was contracted to Universidad Católica - one of Chile's biggest clubs - since coming up through their youth system. He was however loaned out in 2013 to Cobreloa and again in 2014-15 to San Marcos de Arica, both of whom are also in the Chilean Primera División. He was released on a free transfer by Católica at the end of the 2015 season, which saw San Marcos lose to Católica in penalties. Dittborn was unable to crack the lineup for San Marcos, appearing in just one match while there.
Dittborn has also featured for the Chilean U-20 and senior men's team. He has six caps at the senior level, with his last coming in 2012. Transfermarkt.co.uk lists Dittborn as a left midfielder, so perhaps he could provide cover and/or competition for Andrew Wenger. Philadelphia Union manager Jim Curtin mentioned Santiago's prowess with his left foot in today's press conference as well.