The Philadelphia Union are apparently set to give their forward line a boost, with CBS Philadelphia reporting on Wednesday that the club has landed Venezuelan international striker Fernando Aristeguieta on loan from Ligue 1 side Nantes.
The 22-year-old Aristeguieta will reportedly count as a Young Designated Player, with the Union holding an option to purchase the player at the expiration of his loan deal.
Aristeguieta has appeared in 45 games the French club since joining the club from Venezuelan side Caracas in 2013. He helped Nantes earn promotion to Ligue 1 in his first season in France, scoring seven goals in seven appearances during the second half of the 2012-13 European season. He saw his playing time decrease with the club’s move to the top flight, scoring just two goals in 28 appearances in Ligue 1.
A teammate of US international Alejandro Bedoya at Nantes, Aristeguieta has one goal in 13 career caps with Venezuela.
Wednesday’s news brings an end to the Union’s months-long pursuit of Aristeguieta, who was reportedly in talks with Philadelphia as far back as December. He was apparently close to an agreement with the Union, but things broke down at the last minute, with Spanish club Getafe swooping in to claim the Venezuelan on a six-month loan.
That deal, however, recently fell apart, with Getafe reportedly unable to make good on their financial commitment to Aristeguieta, allowing the Union to come back into the picture.
