Struggling Eastern Conference team adds some size to its backline.
The Philadelphia Union have signed former Chicago Fire defender Bakary Soumare after the club acquired the top spot in the allocation rankings from the Vancouver Whitecaps.Soumare, 26, spent two seasons with the Fire, racking up 63 appearances after being drafted out of the University of Virginia. In 2008, he was voted to the MLS Best XI. He's also been capped by Mali on 13 occasions.
To secure Soumare, Philadelphia sent its 2013 first-round draft pick to the Whitecaps as well as an undisclosed amount of allocation money. In return the club received Vancouvers second-round selection in 2013 and the ability to sign Soumare.
The 6'4" defender will slot in next to the Union's current centerback stalwart Carlos Valdes and will add some much-needed size to John Hackworth's side.
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