Philadelphia Union has secured a guaranteed $250,000 from San Diego FC in exchange for the permanent transfer of David Vázquez. The agreement also includes potential additional payments of up to $250,000 if certain performance-based indicators are met. Philadelphia Union will receive a percentage from any future trade and sale involving Vázquez.
David Vázquez joined Philadelphia Union as a homegrown player on April 29, 2024. In the 2025 season, he started 14 matches for Union II in MLS NEXT Pro, scoring two goals and providing one assist. He made his Major League Soccer debut with the Union on June 29, 2025, against Columbus Crew.
The initial loan of Vázquez to San Diego was announced by the Union on July 28, 2025. In return for that loan move, Philadelphia received $100,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM), split evenly between GAM for 2025 and GAM for 2026.
A rule introduced in January 2025 allows clubs to use unlimited cash funds to trade players within MLS. This enables teams to acquire talent without using allocation money or other assets. Similar to transfer fees, proceeds from these trades can be converted into General Allocation Money.
“Philadelphia Union obtains guaranteed $250,000 from San Diego FC in exchange for the exercised permanent transfer option of David Vázquez. The club will also receive a future percentage of trades and sales involving the player as well as up to an additional $250,000 if certain performance indicators are met,” according to the official transaction statement.
