Transfer: Major League Soccer/Philadelphia Union Purchase Dutch Midfielder Roland Alberg from ADO Den Haag

Stone Sports Management LLC (Columbus, Ohio) - February 4, 2016

Stone Sports Management (“SSM”) is pleased to announce Dutch Attacking Midfielder Roland Alberg’s transfer from Dutch Eredivisie club ADO Den Haag to Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union on a two-year contract with options. The 25-year old Hoorn, Netherlands native comes to the Union after two and half seasons with ADO Den Haag where he was the club’s Captain and most prolific scorer with 20 Goals,15 Assists in all competitions. After returning to Holland from the Turkish Super League (Elazigspor), Alberg scored an impressive 7 Goals, 4 Assists during the 2012-13 season and bettered that season in the 2014-2015 Season with 8 Goals,10 Assists in 33 games. Deal terms will remain undisclosed, but MLS secured Alberg’s services with a transfer fee, and the Philadelphia Union elected to use Targeted Allocation Money (“TAM”) to complete the transfer

“After spending all but six months of my professional career in Holland, I wanted to find a club in a new competition that would challenge me on and off the field,” reflected Alberg. “I have studied MLS for the past couple of seasons and have seen the competition grow tremendously. After visiting Philadelphia and meeting with [Sports Director] Earnie Stewart, [Technical Director] Chris Albright and [Head Coach] Jim Curtin, it was clear that joining the Union gives me the best chance to succeed and develop. I know it will not be easy and take lots of hard work on and off the field, but I am fully committed to helping the club and my teammates achieve its goals and look forward to meeting the fans, especially the Sons of Ben!"

Negotiations started in January after Alberg was within six months of his ADO Den Haag’s contract expiration. Earnie Stewart was familiar with Alberg, as the former U21 Dutch Youth International’s formation occurred at Stewart’s last club as Sports Director, AZ Alkmaar and had played six matches against the club socring 1 Goal and 1 Assist. Alberg jumped onto the professional scene at age 20 signing a 2-year contract with Excelsior Rotterdam scoring 8 Goals, 2 Assists in his first full season and secured the club’s Player of the Year, but the club was relegated. He continued his scoring ways in the Jupiler league with 6 Goals, 2 Assists in 20 games before being transferred to the Turkish Super League on a 3 ½-year contract. After the Turkish Super League changes its rules limiting foreigners, he returned to Holland with ADO.

(Above: Alberg poses with Philadelphia Union's Sports Director Earnie Stewart, Head Coach Jim Curtin and SSM's President and Players' Agent Justin B. Stone)

This transfer was several years in the making as SSM collaborated with Alberg’s brother and agent Ibad Muhamadu whom SSM’s President and Players’ Agent Justin B. Stone had represented in 2010 when Mr. Muhamadu signed with the Portland Timbers. This prompted Alberg’s awareness of North American soccer and for Mr. Muhamadu to recommend Alberg to join MLS in his prime, despite offers from Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

“In 2010 when I came to the Portland Timbers, I would never have imagined my little brother playing in MLS, but the league has grown significantly since then and believe the Philadelphia Union are the right fit for Roland's career at this time." reflected Ibad Muhamadu. "I knew I could trust Justin Stone to handle Roland's affairs in North America after he arranged everything for me professionally and correctly. The same was true with Roland’s transfer, and I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure that Roland is taken care of off the field, so he can focus on it."

“This is a fantastic transfer for all parties involved and means a lot to me having first represented Ibad Muhamadu and now Roland in this market,” says Justin B. Stone. “I have been monitoring Roland’s progress since he was 21, and despite interest from MLS clubs, the timing was never quite right until now. The Philadelphia Union are getting a quality player entering his prime who can leave his mark on any match by scoring a goal or the final pass. Alberg’s ability and comfort with the ball at his feet will bring calmness and a possession-oriented style that Coach Curtin has expressed wanting to employ for the 2016 season. With Roland’s ability and commitment to defend and play both sides of the ball, I am confident that his integration to the Union and to MLS will take a shorter time than most internationals."

Alberg has already joined his teammates in Florida for pre-season and will be finalizing his P1 Visa in the next days. Special thanks goes out to Mr. Earnie Stewart, Mr. Chris Albright, Mr. Jim Curtin and Mr. Joshua Gros for their efforts and professionalism helping to negotiate Alberg’s transfer and welcoming him to Philadelphia.

Click HERE to see the Union’s 2016 MLS Schedule and check out Roland Alberg's Highlights below!