Philadelphia Union star defender Kai Wagner has expressed interest in playing in Europe come January. In a recent interview with Manuel Veth of Transfermarkt, Wagner went into more detail regarding his future with the Philadelphia Union.

“I want to make the step to Europe in January, I want to prove to myself that I can play Europe; I am honest enough to say that I want to do it now. I also want to be closer to the family.”

Last November, Wagner was looking to be transferred in the January 2021 transfer window, but he inked a new deal with the Union that extended him thru 2022 with a club option for 2023.

According to Wagner, there have been “talks but nothing concrete” in a recent report. His transfer value has increased from $303,000 to $3.3 million on Transfermrkt since his acquisition from Würzburger Kickers in February of 2019. Wagner recently discussed the original deal that brought him to Union.

“Today, everybody would laugh about the small fee that Tanner paid to sign me,” Wagner told Veth. “At the time, though, it was a difficult step. And I had to jump over my own shadow. But the talks with Ernst Tanner and head coach Jim Curtin helped me make my decision, and once I knew that my family was on board, the decision [to move to MLS] was made very quickly.”

It’s time for Kai Wagner to move to bigger things

When the transfer officially comes, it will be a huge loss for the Union. Wagner has been an anchor of their defensive line. This past season, he made 41 appearances with 39 starts for the club and recorded seven assists.

Wagner was selected for the 2021 MLS All-Star team for the first time and the ninth Union player ever selected for the game. Like Brendan Aaronson, it is time for Wagner to move on to a bigger league and make a name for himself elsewhere.

It is clear his family back in Europe is very valuable to him and this is very likely where he will be headed in 2022.

Mandatory Credit: Carl Gulbish