Philadelphia Union II forward Marcos Zambrano and his younger brother Mateo Zambrano have been officially cleared to join the Philadelphia Union Academy.
The dual nationals from Ecuador joined the academy in the fall but were awaiting clearance by the federation. They have U.S. passports through their father, who was born in New York.
Marcos, a 2005-born striker and Ecuador youth international, played for the Philadelphia Union II in post-season friendlies in the fall while Mateo Zambrano has trained with the U13 team.
Marcos joins a highly touted crop of dual national players who have been recruited to join the academy over the last couple years. Midfielder Diego Lopez, who joined the academy in October from San Diego, was recently called up to the Mexico U16 team and forward/midfielder Gael Medrano is also eligible to play for Mexico.
Los hermanos ecuatorianos Marcos y Mateo Zambrano oficialmente son nuevos futbolistas de Philadelphia Union. Marcos siendo categoría 2005 se unirá al equipo filial mientras que Mateo irá a la sub 13 del club estadounidense. pic.twitter.com/joVaGEuxvb
— Sabiomanager (@sabiomanagerec) March 2, 2021
Below is video of a penalty kick goal Marcos converted in a friendly against VE in November.