CHESTER, Pa. (April 5, 2019) – Bethlehem Steel FC announced today that the club has signed forward Shanyder Borgelin (pronunciation: shah-NIGH-dur BOR-jeh-lihn) to a USL Championship contract. A 17-year-old forward from North Lauderdale, Florida, Borgelin joins Steel FC from the Philadelphia Union Academy.

“We are very excited about signing Shanyder to the Steel from our Academy,” said Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner. “Shanyder provides both height and speed up top and we are happy to add another young prospect to the Steel. Shanyder’s physical abilities create great chances and new opportunities for us in the attack.”

Borgelin spent two years in the Philadelphia Union Academy’s Residency Program and played two seasons with the Academy’s U16/17 and U18/19 squads. Over the course of his two seasons with the Academy, he made 39 appearances, 19 starts and scored 14 goals in the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons. Borgelin joined Steel FC at the club’s preseason-training camp in Clearwater, Florida.

“I am very happy to see another Philadelphia Union Academy product committing all of his focus and energy to being a professional soccer player at the highest level that he can push to,” said Steel Head Coach Brendan Burke. “Shanyder is always asking questions and has some of the tools he will need already. That growth and mindset bodes well for his future with us and we are looking forward to getting started.”

Borgelin has previous experience with Steel FC, having made two substitute appearances in the 2019 USL Championship regular season so far. He has made substitute appearances in the club’s matches against Birmingham Legion FC (March 9) and Memphis 901 FC (March 24).

“We are particularly pleased for Shanyder, as it took a huge leap of faith for him and his family to join us at the Academy,” said Union Academy Director Tommy Wilson. “It is not easy as a teenager to leave home and come to a new environment. This is another example of the power of the Union Academy allied to our school and residency program operating together with Bethlehem Steel to provide an outlet for our emerging talent. Shanyder has worked hard, but knows that this is just the beginning.”

Borgelin is Steel FC’s fourth Union Academy prospect to sign in 2019, joining defender Ben Ofeimu and midfielders Issa Rayyan and Zach Zandi.

TRANSACTION: Bethlehem Steel FC signs forward Shanyder Borgelin on April 5, 2019.

Name: Shanyder Borgelin

Kit Number: 63

Position: Forward

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 195 lb.

Born: October 19, 2001

Hometown: North Lauderdale, Fla.

Citizenship: United States of America

Acquired: Bethlehem Steel FC signs forward Shanyder Borgelin on April 5, 2019.