The Philadelphia Union are in unfamiliar territory heading towards their 2025 season. That territory is to rebuild their roster, and Ernst Tanner has his work cut out for him. The first step in a positive direction was made as the club announced the acquisition of Ian Glavinovich on loan from Newell’s Old Boys. Glavinovich is likely the replacement of Jack Elliott, who signed with Chicago Fire FC earlier in the week and is a player with a lot of upside.
Get to know Union loanee Ian Glavinovich
Glavinovich is a 23-year-old Argentinian centerback who is fast, good with his feet, and is unafraid to fly into challenges. His speed allows him to make good recovery runs when the opposition is behind the defensive line. His six-foot, 165-pound build gives him the ability to muscle up well to opposing strikers. Ian Glavinovich can also play with the ball at his feet and looks to make the necessary passes to help his midfielders and attackers create an attack.
He has all the qualities that Ernst Tanner likes a lot.
“Ian is a robust, fast center back whose skillset matches what we are looking for in that position. He is defensively sound and has a lot of quality on the ball. With room for development, I believe he can make an immediate impact on our backline, and we look forward to welcoming him to the club.”
Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Ernst TannerIn all honesty, the Union are lucky to get a player like Glavinovich. He was reportedly going to move from Argintinian side newell’s Old Boys to Brazilian side Vasco da Gama, but the deal fell through, allowing Phily to swoop in and bring him to the banks of the Delaware. This signing is another Ernst Tanner special; low risk, high reward.
If Glavinovich comes in and shines in his one year loan, there is a club option to make the move permanant starting in 2026. That is the hope and looking at Ernst Tanner’s track record it could liekly be the case. However there is always the possiblity of this being a one year stopgap to bolster the Union’s backline.
Is the acquisition of Glavinovich the start of a needed rebuild?
The Union still needs to hire a coach while building a roster that will allow this team to be competitive to win trophies this upcoming year; at least, that’s what ownership has stated ambition is. No matter how you look at it, this coming year is one of a rebuild. Can the Union be competitive in MLS while doing this?
Yes. MLS is a league full of parity, and Philly could find the right coach and a fresh group of players to get right back to being competitive. However, this club seems to be making the same lateral moves. For example, it could potentially hire Bradley Carnell, an ex-MLS coach who fits the club system, and bring in low-risk, high-reward players like In Glavinovich.
Philly now adds Glavinovich to the centerback depth chart along with Jakob Glesnes and Olwethu Makhanya. They will need more depth in that position to round it all out; keep Union II player Neil Pierre in mind to possibly round out the center back position as Philly gear up for 2025. Time will tell if this first new signing of the offseason kickstarts a quick rebuild into a competitor or if this is just a one-year trial that doesn’t pan out for the success of the club or the player.