Union acquire Nacional’s Bruno Damiani in club-record deal

The Philadelphia Union acquired Uruguayan forward Bruno Damiani for a club-record transfer fee on Tuesday.

Multiple reports said the Union paid $3.4 million to Nacional, Damiani’s Uruguayan Primera Division club.

Damiani, 22, signed a guaranteed deal through 2028 that includes a 2029 option. He will occupy an international roster slot.

“Bruno is the exact type of player that we have been looking to add to our striker unit,” Philadelphia sporting director Ernst Tanner said. “He is a tall, physical striker with a proven ability to dominate and be a danger in the final third. Along with his size and strength, he is a clinical finisher and is relentless on the attack. We look forward to getting him integrated quickly and seeing his impact on the pitch.”

Last month, Damiani helped Nacional claim its first Supercopa title since 2021. While on loan at Uruguay’s Boston River in 2024, he tallied 12 goals and five assists in 38 matches.

On the international level Damiani earned his first call-up to the Uruguay national team in May 2024 and made his senior debut in a friendly against Costa Rica.

“It just so happened that after a [Nacional] game in which I did not play, a better offer came. It was better both economically and in terms of quality of life and now I only want to focus on football,” Damiani told El Espectador.

Damiani admitted that to reach an agreement with Nacional, and as part of the terms, he made a financial donation to the youth categories of Nacional.

“It was part of the negotiation and I was willing to concede this [to reach an agreement on my transfer],” he said. “Because they did not ask me for more, my father and I suggested that this would be a nice way to thank the club because I owe my entire career to Nacional, who opened their doors to me when I was 18, and this was the gesture we thought of.”

The Union season starts on Feb. 22 when they travel to face Orlando City for a 7:30 p.m. game.