Union sign new deals with Fabinho, Creavalle and Przybyłko

Two veterans and a player we hardly got to know are all returning to the Philadelphia Union in 2019.

Veteran left back Fabinho, midfielder Warren Creavalle and forward Kacper Przybylko have all signed new deals, the club announced on Monday morning.

Fabinho, who will turn 34 in March, made 11 appearances and eight starts in 2018, his fewest appearances since joining the team in 2013. His option was declined, which means he’s likely coming back at a lower salary than the $153,000 he was guaranteed in 2018.

Creavalle, who will turn 29 in August, made 17 appearances and six starts in his fourth season with the blue and gold after coming to the team in a trade midway through the 2015 season. Creavalle, who was also making $153,000 in 2018, was out of contract.

Przybylko was signed in September but was coming off a foot injury suffered at 1. FC Kaiserslautern in Germany. His option for 2019 was declined, but the team signed him to a new deal. His annual salary figure was $67,500 for 2018, according to data from the players union.

“We are pleased to have reached agreements for all three players to return to our club,” Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner said in a news release. “Fabinho is such an important leader for our club, a valued player and person who truly is the heartbeat of our locker room. Warren’s ball-winning skills fit well under our tactical philosophy, and we are encouraged with Kacper’s progress in regaining full fitness. All three are important depth pieces for us and we look forward to welcoming them back.”

The signings bring the first-team roster to 22 for 2019 and bring the total of first-team international roster spots to six (of 8).