The Philadelphia Union Set to Reacquire Defender Mark McKenzie from Toulouse

The Philadelphia Union are finalizing a transfer with Toulouse for defender Mark McKenzie, a source confirmed to ESPN. McKenzie, 27, will return to the Union as a Designated Player in January 2027, just ahead of the MLS Sprint Season, marking a key transition for the league to a Summer-Spring calendar beginning later that year. The transfer fee is reported to be approximately $2.5 million.

This move, first reported by The Athletic, would represent the Union’s second signing of a former player on a Designated Player contract this season, following the earlier re-signing of left back Kai Wagner from Birmingham City.

McKenzie, who made his international debut for the United States at the World Cup against Türkiye, is expected to bring valuable experience and leadership to the Union. A product of the Union’s academy, McKenzie made his first team debut in 2018, accumulating 59 appearances and scoring two goals, and playing a vital role in securing the 2020 Supporters’ Shield.

In 2021, McKenzie moved to Belgian side Genk, where he contributed to the team’s victory in the 2021 Belgian Cup, and spent four seasons in Belgium before transferring to Ligue 1’s Toulouse. Over the past two seasons, he has further developed his skills on the field.

Internationally, McKenzie has made 30 appearances for the U.S. men’s national team, participating in the 2026 World Cup, where he played the full match in a 3-2 group-stage loss to Türkiye.

Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn