Philadelphia Union re-sign veteran defender Aurelien Collin to one-year deal

Veteran defender Aurelien Collin will be returning to the Philadelphia Union in 2020.

The team announced the signing of the 33-year-old center back to a one-year deal on Friday.

“Aurelien is a proven winner with a strong work ethic that is matched by his heart and passion,” Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner said in a news release. “We look forward to his continued contributions to our defense and leadership on and off the field.”

Collin made six appearances for the Union in the 2019 season and helped the club keep a clean sheet in his debut start against the Montreal Impact on April 20. He made one appearance in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, starting the fourth round match at D.C. United on June 12.

Next season will be the Enghien-les-Bains, France native’s 10th in Major League Soccer. He played for the New York Red Bulls for three seasons, Orlando City SC for two and Sporting Kansas City for four seasons dating back to his arrival in the U.S. in 2011.

He was signed to a one-year deal for last season after being released by the Red Bulls and made $175,000 in guaranteed compensation according to data released by the players association in September.

With Collin, the Union have three center backs on the roster for 2020 with presumed starters Jack Elliott and Mark McKenzie already under contract.