Philadelphia Union continue defensive overhaul by signing Colombian centerback Geiner Martínez
The Philadelphia Union have officially bolstered their backline with the acquisition of Colombian defender Geiner Martínez from Uruguayan club CA Juventud. The 23-year-old centerback has agreed to a contract guaranteed through the 2027-2028 Major League Soccer season, with further club options potentially extending his stay through the 2029-2030 campaign. Martínez will be added to the active roster pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P1 Visa, and he will occupy an international roster slot.
Born in Quibdó, Colombia, the 6-foot-3 defender arrives in Philadelphia following a successful stint in Uruguay. Martínez was a key figure in CA Juventud’s historic 2024-25 season, where he made 12 appearances during the Clausura and helped the team record five clean sheets. His performance was instrumental in the club’s promotion to the Uruguayan Primera División and their subsequent qualification for the 2026 Copa Libertadores. Prior to his time at Juventud, Martínez also contributed to Central Español’s promotion run while on loan, giving him consecutive seasons of high-stakes experience in Uruguayan football. In total, he has logged 51 appearances and scored four goals across competitions in Uruguay.
This signing provides crucial context to the Union’s broader offseason strategy, which has been defined by a significant changing of the guard in defense. The arrival of Martínez follows the high-profile departures of former MLS Defender of the Year Jakob Glesnes to the LA Galaxy and three-time All-Star Kai Wagner to Birmingham City. To fill these voids, the Union have aggressively targeted younger talent, recently adding Danish centerback Japhet Sery Larsen and U.S. youth international Finn Sundstrom. Martínez fits the profile of these recent acquisitions, aiming to inject youth and physicality into a squad that is transitioning away from its long-serving veterans.
Despite the optimism surrounding his potential, there are valid concerns regarding the transition. Martínez is stepping into a roster spot previously held by established MLS stars, and the expectation to immediately replicate that level of stability is high. Critics may point out that the majority of his professional experience comes from the Uruguayan second division rather than a top-tier league, raising questions about how quickly he can adjust to the speed and technical demands of Major League Soccer. Furthermore, the use of a valuable international roster slot on a developing player adds strategic pressure on the coaching staff to ensure his integration is seamless and productive from the start of the 2026 season.
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