The Philadelphia Union had three All-Stars in 2025. It will begin 2026 with none of them on the roster.
That was sealed Friday when the Union agreed to transfer Kai Wagner to Birmingham City, in England’s second division, the English Football League Championship.
The transfer completes a long-awaited dream for the German left back to return to Europe.
He has been with the Union since 2019, through seemingly annual transfer sagas. The Union this time around received a fee — which it did not disclose, but that is reported to be in the neighborhood of $2 million — that was enough to send him on his way.
Wagner posted a lengthy letter to social media thanking the fans.
“In good moments and in tough moments you always helped me to be the best version of myself,” Wagner wrote in part. “…Philly you will always be my Home! Thank you and we will see each other again!”
Wagner is one of the best signings in the history of the club.
He arrived in the winter of 2019 from Wurzburger Kickers in the third division of Germany and established himself as one of the best chance creators among defenders in MLS. He appeared in 204 league games with the Union, making 198 starts.
He scored eight goals and 63 assists, the latter the most in club history and one of the highest numbers ever for a defender in MLS. He is fifth in club history in both starts and appearances.
In all, he appeared in 253 matches in all competitions, playing a key role in both of the Union’s Supporters’ Shield wins (2020 and 2025), the run to MLS Cup final in 2022 and the club’s first participation in CONCACAF Champions League.
Wagner was named an MLS All-Star in 2021, 2022 and 2025. He finished third in MLS Defender of the Year voting in 2025, earning his second inclusion in the MLS Best XI.
“The contributions Kai has made to this club over the last seven seasons have been nothing short of exceptional,” Union coach Bradley Carnell said in a press release. “He has been a crucial piece of this team’s success over the past seven seasons, and we remain grateful not only for his consistent dedication and hard work, but his staunch leadership qualities both on and off the field. At this time, we are honoring Kai’s wishes to continue his career in Europe, as he feels this is the right step for him and his family. We wish him all the best and know he will continue to find success.”
Birmingham City won League One, the third tier of English soccer, last year to gain promotion to the Championship. It sits 17th in the league, nine points behind the sixth spot for the Premier League promotion playoffs and seven above the relegation places. One of the oldest clubs in England dating to 1875, it was last in the Premier League in 2011.
The Union are in an apparently belated rebuild, cashing in veterans for assets this year after rebounding from the 2024 miss of the postseason with the Shield in 2025.
Jakob Glesnes was traded to LA Galaxy in December. Tai Baribo was dealt to D.C. United last month. That leaves the Union with none of their three MLS All-Stars from last year.
The Union don’t have an obvious succession plan at left back.
They have three established right backs in Nate Harriel, Frankie Westfield and Olivier Mbaizo. Harriel is a reserve option at center back, depending on how the club elects to fill the spot of Glesnes. Westfield has played on the left.