Contract offer unsigned, Ilsinho’s return is in question

Ilsinho was vital to the Philadelphia Union’s success in 2019 — particularly when they were down in the second half — but the veteran playmaker hasn’t yet signed on to return to the team for 2020.

“He just needs to put his signature on the contract,” Sporting Director Ernst Tanner said on Monday when asked about Ilsinho after the team’s first preseason training session. “There’s no space for negotiations. He knows it and I think we’ll get him.”

The Brazilian playmaker turns 35 this October but he’s coming off an impactful season where he contributed 5 goals and 8 assists primarily coming off the bench in the second half.

Ilsinho made $357,000 in guaranteed compensation last season after making $327,000 in 2018 and $518,333.33 and $478,333.33 over his first two seasons. He was initially signed to a two-year contract in 2016, renegotiated a one-year deal with an option year after having his option for the 2018 season declined by the club. His option was exercised by the team for 2019.

Tanner didn’t give specifics about the contract offer, which a press release put out by the club in late December described as a “bona fide offer” but Ilsinho’s sister took to Twitter on Monday to voice her displeasure with the deal.