TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Re-signed
He’s been one of the top goalkeepers in MLS over the past two seasons, and on Wednesday the Philadelphia Union rewarded Andre Blake with a new, multi-year contract completed with a dose of Targeted Allocation Money.
The 2016 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and a finalist for the 2017 award, Blake was also named an MLS All-Star and MLS Best XI selection in 2016, prompting multiple reports of keen interest from clubs overseas.
“It is a priority for us to build and secure the foundation of the Philadelphia Union, and Andre is as big a part of that foundation as any player,” said Union sporting director Earnie Stewart in a club release. “Ensuring he will be here for years to come is an important step for our club. We’re delighted to sign him to a new multi-year contract and would like to thank him for his dedication and hard work.”
Philly selected Blake, 27, with the first overall pick of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft and he earned the team’s starting job two years later. Since then he’s played 58 matches in net for the Union, recording 15 shutouts and 187 saves.
He’s also been a star at international level, captaining the Jamaican national team. Blake led the Reggae Boyz to an unexpected second-place finish at last summer’s CONCACF Gold Cup, along the way earning the Golden Glove award as the tournament’s top goalkeeper as well as a place in the tournament’s Best XI.
