Philadelphia Union just broke the bank for Bruno Damiani | OneFootball

The Philadelphia Union opened the checkbook and pushed all their chips to the center of the table for Bruno Damiani, a name that might not ring a bell for most MLS supporters, but one that carries the weight of a marquee signing. The 22-year-old Uruguayan forward was acquired from Nacional, one of the most historically successful clubs in Uruguay, for a record Union transfer fee of over $3 million.

Why Did Bruno Damiani Appear on the Union's Radar?

Bruno Damiani was not signed by chance. The forward initially rose to prominence at Boston River before transferring back to Nacional, where he further developed. In total, he has 14 goals and 8 assists in 60 matches.

Solid numbers for a young player, but what truly grabbed the Philadelphia Union’s attention was his ability to step up in big games. Damiani found the net in Copa Libertadores, a stage that always attracts international scouts. On top of that, his debut for Uruguay’s national team in 2024 signaled that he’s already on the radar for bigger competitions.

Will Damiani’s Playing Style Fit in MLS?

Bruno Damiani’s biggest strengths are his physicality and presence inside the box. That could be a huge advantage in MLS, a league that often struggles to contain forwards who can dominate in the air and hold off defenders.

He might be exactly the type of player the Union has been missing, a forward who can turn good performances into actual results.

Philadelphia sporting director Ernst Tanner was confident Damiani would be a key player for the club: "He's a tall and physical forward with a proven ability to dominate and be a real threat in the final third. Along with his size and strength, he's a clinical finisher and relentless in attack."

That is to say, the Union isn't bringing him in to be just another cog in the machine. They're bringing him in with the hope that he'll be a difference-maker.

Rebuilding Philadelphia Union's attack

The addition of Bruno Damiani is all part of a wider rebuild of Philadelphia Union's attack, especially with the departure of Julián Carranza, sold to Feyenoord in the Netherlands.

Absent Carranza, the team didn't have a true reference up top to pair with Tai Baribo and Mikael Uhre in carrying the attacking load. Damiani has been brought in specifically to plug that hole and be the team's leading goal scorer.

The biggest question now is how he'll fit into the system of new head coach Bradley Carnell, who came on board for the 2025 season. Carnell has a track record of favoring mobile, high-pressure attacks, which could require some adjustments from the Uruguayan forward.