Philadelphia Union Sign Olivier Mbaizo to New Contract Through 2026, With Options for 2027-28

Mbaizo, a 27-year-old Cameroonian international, avoids free agency with a multi-year extension as he remains a valuable depth piece to the Union’s backline.

(Credit: Philadelphia Union)

Chester, Pa. — The Philadelphia Union announced that they have signed Olivier Mbaizo to a contract extension through 2026, with options for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

Mbaizo, 27, was set to become a free agent this winter if the club decided not to pick up his option for 2025. During his previous deal, the right back was earning $423,589, which was the 24th-highest salary among right backs in MLS. Other right backs who made a similar amount last season include FC Dallas’ Ruan ($440,000), Colorado Rapids’ Keegan Rosenberry ($400,000), and New England Revolution’s Brandon Bye ($393,813).

He originally signed with Bethlehem Steel in January 2018, but after quickly impressing, he signed a first-team contract in April 2018 and officially made his debut on September 23, 2018, against Sporting KC in a 2-0 Union win.

Mbaizo has gone on to make 143 appearances (118 starts) for the Union, registering 12 assists in 10,510 minutes across all competitions.

In 2024, he appeared in 30 of the Union’s 45 games, recording one assist in 1,668 minutes. Of those 30 appearances, 18 came as starts, as Nathan Harriel emerged as the clear-cut choice at right back for the Union.

“Olivier has been a consistent contributor to our backline since joining us in 2018,” said Philadelphia Union Sporting Director, Ernst Tanner. “His speed and agility, along with his increasingly accurate passing percentage, continue to make him a valuable asset to the team and we are happy to have come to an agreement.”

Internationally, he has earned 14 caps for Cameroon and was named to Cameroon’s final 26-man roster for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first active Union player to make a World Cup team.