Philadelphia Union have acquired the services of U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Alejandro Bedoya from FC Nantes. Bedoya will join the Union as a Designated Player. Bedoya has earned 53 international caps including four FIFA World Cup appearances.

The Union acquired Bedoya via the Allocation Process after the club secured the #1 spot in the Allocation Ranking Order in a trade with the Chicago Fire. Union sporting director Earnie Stewart commented on the acquisition.

“We have laid out very specific goals for our club this season and Alejandro adds the type of quality that can instantly guide us in achieving them,” said Stewart said. “He’s a tremendous player in the prime of his career and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the club.”

The 29 year old joins the Union from FC Nantes of France’s Ligue 1. He originally joined the club in August of 2013, and immediately made an impact for the newly-promoted club by playing in 31 league games and registering five goals. Overall, during his three years in France, Bedoya played in 87 league games and scored 11 goals. He also added three goals in nine cup games.

Bedoya has also had professional time with Helsinborgs IF (2012-13), Rangers FC (2011-12) and Orebo SK (2009-11). Bedoya signed with Sweden’s Orebo after a successful collegiate career at Boston College. He spent one year in Scotland before returning to the Allsvenskan (the top flight of Swedish football), with Helsinborg.

At the international level Bedoya continues to be an indispensable option for USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, coming in with 53 career caps over the last seven years. Bedoya, who was born in Englewood, N.J., appeared in all four World Cup matches for the USMNT in 2014, and was a driving force in the team’s semifinal run during the 2016 Copa America Centenario. Overall, he’s scored two goals and handed out eight assists in his international career.

Here is a quick profile on American midfielder.

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Alejandro Bedoya

Position: Midfielder

Dual Nationality: USA

Birth Date: April 29, 1987

Birthplace: Englewood, N.J.

Height: 5-10

Transaction: Philadelphia Union acquire Alejandro Bedoya as a Designated Player on Aug. 3, 2016 and will be added to the Union’s roster upon receipt of his ITC. The Union acquired Bedoya via the Allocation Process after the club secured the #1 spot in the Allocation Ranking Order in a trade with the Chicago Fire. The Union traded General Allocation Money, Targeted Allocation Money, the club’s natural first round pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft Pick, and the Discovery Priority on a player to be named later in exchange for the #1 spot.