Olwethu Makhanya Eager to Develop Game With Philadelphia Union

The 19-year-old South African signed with the Union in the summer because of the club's developmental track record.

CHESTER — Olwethu Makhanya and the people around him saw one thing that stood out most when researching the Philadelphia Union.

“After I sat down with my family and agent, we did research on the team, and we saw that Coach Jim works very closely with the young players so we felt it was a good opportunity for me to join a team like this as I’m still young,” Makhanya said on Wednesday.

Makhanya was signed during the summer transfer window from Stellenbosch FC in South Africa.

The center-back’s play during his first professional season in South Africa caught enough eyeballs, including from the Union, that gained him a move overseas.