CHESTER, Pa. (Dec. 22, 2010) - Philadelphia Union today officially announced the signing of midfielder Zach Pfeffer to a professional contract as the club’s first Homegrown Player. The 15-year-old, who recently returned from a two-week training stint with German Bundesliga side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, was a member of Philadelphia’s U-17 squad that competed in the MLS U-17 SUM Cup in Houston, Texas, in July. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

Pfeffer becomes the first player to join the 2010 expansion team from the MLS Homegrown Player initiative, a program started in 2006 designed to provide increased opportunities for local players. Each MLS team may sign players from their respective youth development programs without subjecting those players to the MLS SuperDraft. Born January 6, 1995, Pfeffer is the fourth youngest player ever to sign an MLS contract, behind Freddy Adu, Fued Ibrahim, and recently signed New England Revolution Homegrown Player Diego Fagundez.