Nantes confirms Alejandro Bedoya's move to Philadelphia Union

The World Cup veteran spent the last three seasons with FC Nantes and joins a crowded midfield in Philadelphia.

FC Nantes confirms that U.S. midfielder Alejandro Bedoya is leaving the French club for MLS and the Philadelphia Union.

Bedoya spent the last three seasons with Nantes in Ligue 1 but tried twice last year to move to MLS, to the Union and to the Colorado Rapids. He told the Planet Fútbol Podcast in March that he eyed an "eventual" move to MLS, with having his 1-year-old son being closer to family as part of the reasoning. 

Bedoya was subject to the league's allocation order, and Philadelphia was second behind the Chicago Fire. Upon confirming the transfer and announcing that Bedoya would join the Union as a Designated Player, Philadelphia announced that it acquired the No. 1 place in the allocation order from the Fire in a trade. The haul was a big one: targeted and general allocation money, a first-round draft pick in 2017 and discovery rights to an unnamed player.

[OFFICIEL] Alejandro Bedoya quitte le #FCNantes @AleBedoya17@PhilaUnion #GoodLuckBedo https://t.co/yxXz3XQsUo pic.twitter.com/5UMm3N6Sls

— FC Nantes (@FCNantes) August 3, 2016

A new chapter in my life/career is about to begin.
A message from me about joining @PhilaUnion in the @MLS. pic.twitter.com/gF1g3Tzbm5

— Alejandro Bedoya (@AleBedoya17) August 3, 2016

Bedoya joins a crowded midfield in Philadelphia, which is 1-4-1 in its last six games after hovering at or near the top of MLS's Eastern Conference for the bulk of the season.

According to ESPN FC, which first reported the two sides were in advanced negotiations, the move will come at a $1 million transfer fee, and Bedoya will earn $1 million per season.