Union sign G Andrew Rick

The Philadelphia Union signed 18-year-old goaltender Andrew Rick to a guaranteed contract through 2028 with an option for 2029, the team announced Saturday.

Rick, a member of the Union Academy since 2016, is the 23rd homegrown player in club history. From Berwyn, Pennsylvania, Rick signed his fourth short-term deal with the Union on Tuesday before Philadelphia’s game against the Seattle Sounders.

Rick was also added to the roster for games against Sporting Kansas City, the Portland Timbers and Nashville SC. Under MLS rules, a club can sign a player 25 years of age or younger for up to four short-term contracts (four-day contracts for up to 16 days) each season through its affiliate in MLS NEXT Pro.

“Andrew has made remarkable strides in his growth and development during his time at the Academy and Union II,” Union sporting director Ernst Tanner said in a statement. “He has shown the ability to step up in big moments and keep his composure. As we add more depth to our goalkeeping unit, he will have the opportunity to continue working with and learning from the top talents in our league and we are confident he will do so.” I will be ready if called upon.”

This season for Union II in MLS NEXT Pro, Rick made six starts and had 17 saves and a 1.17 goals-against average. He has 82 saves in 26 appearances since making his MLS NEXT Pro debut in September 2022.

— Field-level media