Philadelphia Union has exercised a two-year contract option for defender Olwethu Makhanya, securing his place with the team through the 2026 and 2027 Major League Soccer (MLS) seasons.
Head Coach Bradley Carnell commented on Makhanya’s performance, stating, “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. 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.”
During the 2025 season, Makhanya made his debut in MLS and quickly became a regular starter for Philadelphia Union. He started in 23 out of 29 matches and played a total of 2,145 minutes. The South African center back led the team with 45 clearances and won over 64 percent of aerial duels. He contributed to the defense that recorded 14 clean sheets and allowed only 35 goals throughout the season, which was the best defensive record in the league.
Makhanya scored his first goal for the Union in a match against Montreal on July 16. This goal was also a game-winner during what became a Supporters’ Shield-winning season for Philadelphia. At the end of the regular season, he was ranked number 13 on the MLS 2025 “22 Under-22” list and played an important role as Philadelphia advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the Audi MLS playoffs.
The club confirmed that it exercised its option on Makhanya’s contract on November 26, ensuring his continued presence with Philadelphia Union for at least two more seasons.
