The Philadelphia Union's long rumored signing of Lionard Pajoy was made official on Wednesday. The 30-year-old forward is coming off a career-best season in which he scored 13 goals and had three assists in 27 starts for Colombian first-division side Itagüí Ditaires. Ten of those goals came during the 18 matches of the more recent Clausura.
Pajoy is likely the final piece of the Union's rather dramatic reconstruction this offseason. While team officials were quick to point out that he should not be seen as a direct replacement for Sebastien Le Toux, he is expected to be a significant part of a revamped attack that will include Costa Rican 21-year-old Josue Martinez, returning youngsters like Danny Mwanga and Jack McInerney, and recent SuperDraft pick Chandler Hoffman.
Unlike most of the others in that group, Pajoy is expected to bring a bit more physicality. At 6-foot-1, he's a big body and could provide the kind of size and scoring combination the Union have never really had.
For more on Pajoy's signing, be sure to check out Union blog Brotherly Game.