Philadelphia Union Sign Defender RJ Allen Right back joins Philadelphia with four years of MLS experience, most recently with Orlando City SC

CHESTER, Pa. (July 2, 2019) – Philadelphia Union today announced that the club has signed defender RJ Allen. A rightback, Allen’s contract with the Union is for the remainder of the 2019 season. He has been added to the active roster immediately and will be available for selection ahead of tomorrow night’s regular-season match at Orlando.

"RJ will provide needed depth and cover for our fullback corps,” said Ernst Tanner, Union Sporting Director. “He has four years of MLS experience and has shown well as a trialist over the past week. We’d like to welcome him to our team."

With 71 career MLS regular-season games played, Allen comes to the Union after most recently playing in MLS with Orlando City SC, the club at which he spent the 2018 season. He made 18 appearances (10 starts) for the Lions, recording two assists.

Prior to his tenure in Orlando, he was a member of New York City FC for three years, joining the team two months into their inaugural campaign in 2015. His career-best season came one year later, when he totaled one goal and six assists over 24 matches (19 starts) in 2016. That season, he tied for the MLS lead in assists by a defender, along with Saad Abdul-Salaam, Fabinho, and Taylor Kemp. In all, he played in 53 regular-season matches for NYCFC, amassing one goal and 11 assists. He also started two postseason contests in 2016.

Before playing in MLS, Allen began his professional career in Denmark, playing for Skive IK in 2013. He made 13 appearances for the club, scoring one goal. He also played four years of college soccer at Monmouth University from 2008-11, where he was a 2011 NSCAA All-American Second Team member, a 2010 NSCAA All-American Third Team member and was All-Northeast Conference First Team in 2009, 2010, and 2011.

TRANSACTION: Philadelphia Union sign defender RJ Allen on July 2, 2019

Name: RJ Allen

Position: Defender

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 165

Hometown: Old Bridge, NJ

Born: April 17, 1990 in Staten Island, NY

Citizenship: United States

Acquired: Philadelphia Union sign defender RJ Allen on July 2, 2019

Previous Experience: Orlando City SC (2018), New York City FC (2015-17), Skive IK (2013)