Anthony Fontana joins Ascoli Calcio in Italy’s Serie B from Philadelphia Union

Union academy-born midfielder Anthony Fontana’s move to Italian second division side Ascoli finally crossed the line on Friday, starting a new career chapter for the 22-year-old from Newark. , Of the.

Fontana left Union at the end of the 2021 season to seek his fortune elsewhere, having grown up in his hometown club’s academy and playing four seasons in MLS. He made his debut in 2018 as a top playmaker prospect, the Union academy’s first star at football’s most glamorous position. And it was no secret that he dreamed of playing in Italy, as a lifelong fan of Italian superpower Juventus and holder of an Italian passport.

The hype rightly increased when Fontana started and scored in his first game in MLS on the opening day of the 2018 season. But overall, Fontana never quite realized his potential. .

There were a few of his own flaws, but equally important due to the competition within the team. There were always big names taking big minutes, from Bořek Dočkal and Marco Fabián to Jamiro Monteiro and Dániel Gazdag. And there were also other great academy products, Brenden Aaronson from 2019-20 and Paxten Aaronson last year.

It also didn’t help that Fontana missed nearly two months last summer with a concussion.

READ MORE: Mikael Uhre’s arrival at Union pre-season camp still delayed by visa issues

In the end, Fontana played 51 games for the Union first team, registering 12 goals and 1 assist. The Union twice offered him a new contract last year, but he refused. He went to Italy last month, had a trial with Ascoli, and after weeks of reports that the team would sign him, it finally happened.

A source with knowledge of the situation said the union would receive money from Ascoli even though Fontana was technically out of contract. Because Union made these offers last year, the team is eligible to be paid under FIFA’s training compensation scheme for teams developing future pros.

The source said Union could receive up to 120,000 euros – around $136,000 – in performance bonuses, such as games played by Fontana and if the club are promoted to Serie A. produce this season are not large.)

There is also an agreement for a selling fee ranging from 15 to 25%, if Ascoli sells it elsewhere. And if Fontana moves to a team from another country, the Union would be eligible for additional compensation through FIFA’s solidarity payment system.

When a player aged 23 or over is sold between clubs in different countries, FIFA requires that 5% of the transfer fee be split proportionately between all clubs where the player played from age 12 to 22.

If a player changes club before this age, the percentage of solidarity is degressive according to a system formalized by FIFA.

READ MORE: The World Cup wants a sustainable stadium. Are the Eagles green enough?

This is a big deal for the Union, as it means they will get a share of any future moves between countries that players like Brenden Aaronson and Mark McKenzie make.

But it is important to note again the use of Between the countries. If Aaronson’s next move is to an English club – like Leeds United, who offered $27m for him this winter – the Union would be eligible to draw a solidarity payment from it. (They would also get the selling fee they agreed with Salzburg up to 20% of the transfer cost.)

Now let’s say that some time after, Leeds sell Aaronson to another club. If this next club is in another country, the Union would be eligible for a solidarity payment. But if he moves from one English club to another, the Union would not be eligible.

FIFA lays out all of this in a legal document on its website titled ‘Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players’. Naturally, this document is 87 pages and full of jargon, but you can read it if you wish.

Union will also benefit from future eligible moves made by Auston Trusty, the media native who grew up in Union academy and joined Arsenal England this winter from Colorado Rapids. And as more academy products move overseas, more solidarity payments can come to the Union.

READ MORE: Media’s Auston Trusty joins Arsenal from Colorado Rapids, and Union should take advantage