Philadelphia Union Academy star Marcos Zambrano-Delgado’s move to Benfica in Portugal is official, the team announced on Friday.
The Ecuadorian-American who has represented both countries at the youth international level celebrated his 18th birthday by signing his first professional contract after spending the last two years in the Union Academy.
Zambrano-Delgado led the Union U17s to the MLS Next Cup title last year with a pair of goals in the final and then also scored the game-winning goal in the first ever MLS Next All-Star Game.
He becomes the second player to leave the Union Academy to sign with Benfica.