What happened: Philadelphia Union are finalizing a deal to sign left back Kai Wagner from Birmingham City, per Tom Bogert, with the move first reported by @thegoalkeeper. Wagner, 29, is set for a return to the club where he became an MLS regular. The move comes as a shock given his exit from Philadelphia only last summer.

Why it matters: Wagner, 29, is the club's all-time leader in assists, making last summer's move to Birmingham a surprise in itself. Philadelphia reportedly honored a promise from former sporting director Ernst Tanner not to block Wagner's exit, even though the club wanted to keep him this winter.

What to watch: Philadelphia opens its next stretch of the 2026 MLS regular season on July 22, with the Wagner deal expected to be finalized before then.