Philadelphia Union have announced that the club has exercised the contract option for South African defender Olwethu Makhanya, extending his stay through the 2026 and 2027 MLS seasons.
The 2025 season saw 21-year-old South African defender Makhanya burst onto the MLS scene, marking his first appearance, first start, first goal, and first trophy with the Union.
After honing his game over two seasons with Union II and helping them reach the MLS NEXT Pro Cup, he broke through as a consistent first-team starter, making 36 appearances in all competitions. His presence bolstered the backline, with the team recording 14 clean-sheets when he featured.
Moreover, Makhanya concluded the regular season as the No. 13 selection on the 2025 MLS Under-22 list.
Union coach Bradley Carnell praised the former Stellenbosch defender, emphasizing how important he is to the team’s backline.
“Olwethu had a standout year in his first full MLS season. Proving himself to be an important piece of our backline, he has demonstrated maturity, consistency, and leadership at just 21 years old,” said Carnell.
“His rapid development is a clear indication of how high his ceiling can be, and we believe he will continue to develop and make a significant impact going forward with the club.”
