Union sporting director happy with ‘athletic’ Damion Lowe acquisition
Published:Thursday | January 26, 2023 | 1:10 AM
PHILADELPHIA UNION Sporting Director Ernst Tanner is happy with his MLS Club’s latest acquisition, Jamaican defender Damion Lowe.
According to Tanner, in a season that will see the Union playing more football than it ever has, the acquisition of Lowe is timely.
“He’s an athletic, quick player, and we expect him to be an important piece of our defensive unit as we begin a season that will require line-up and formation changes due to the unprecedented number of matches,” Tanner said on the club’s website.
The club made the announcement yesterday, saying that Lowe was acquired for US$225,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money and a 2024 natural first-round draft pick.
According to the Union’s website, there is some complexity to the deal, with Inter Miami CF also receiving Homegrown Priority over Shanyder Borgelin, with Philadelphia retaining a percentage of any future transfer over Borgelin.
Lowe joins Philadelphia after spending last season with Inter, where he made 28 appearances, scoring one goal and creating one assist.
Before that, Lowe plyed his trade for Al Ittihad in the Egyptian Premier League, scoring two goals in 30 matches from 2020-2022.
The 6’3” defender has also played for Pennsylvania club Reading United as well as Seattle Sounders FC and Minnesota United.
For Jamaica, Lowe has earned 50 caps, scoring two goals and adding an assist. The 29-year-old made his debut on October 16, 2016, in a 4-2 win against Guyana in the Caribbean Cup Qualification.
That experience, Tanner said, will be invaluable at the Union.
“Damion is an experienced defender who fits into our current needs,” he said.
Lowe is also banking on some of his familiarity with the club.
“There are a lot of familiar faces. I used to train with the academy and first-team guys when I was younger and played at Reading. I also look forward to teaming up with the national team captain, Andre Blake. I’m looking forward to this,” said Lowe.
“I’m happy about the move. It’s a step in the right direction for my career. As MLS runners-up, I’m excited to see if we can go a step further and win it all this season.”