Philadelphia Union has signed defender Japhet Sery Larsen from SK Brann on a permanent transfer, with a contract running through the 2028-2029 season and an option for 2029-2030. The club announced that Larsen will join the active roster after receiving his International Transfer Certificate and P1 Visa, filling an international slot.
“Japhet is a proactive center back with forward-thinking who brings valuable experience from his time competing in the UEFA Europa League,” said Bradley Carnell, Head Coach of Philadelphia Union. “His aggressive playing style fits well with our system, and we are confident that his high football IQ and leadership qualities will be valuable assets to the team this season.”
Larsen, age 25, comes to Philadelphia after three seasons at SK Brann in Norway’s Eliteserien. He played 98 matches across all competitions for Brann, scoring four goals. During his tenure, he contributed to one of the most successful periods in the club’s history as Brann finished second in Eliteserien in both 2023 and 2024 and won the Norwegian Cup in 2023. In 2023, Larsen made 28 appearances and scored two goals; he followed up with 30 appearances during the next season as Brann repeated its league runner-up finish. Before joining SK Brann, he developed at Lyngby Academy.
On the European stage during the 2025 season, Larsen gained experience by participating in a UEFA Champions League qualifying match against Salzburg and playing three group-stage games in the UEFA Europa League against Bologna FC, PAOK, and Fenerbahce. That year, Brann finished fourth domestically while aiming to progress further in European competition. Historically, SK Brann has been a mainstay of Norwegian soccer’s top division for most of its existence.
Before his time at Brann, Larsen played for FC Midtjylland and FK Bodø/Glimt. Internationally, he has represented Denmark at various youth levels including U16 through U21.
The transaction was completed on January 13, 2026.
According to information from the official website, Philadelphia Union is a professional soccer team competing in Major League Soccer (MLS) since its inaugural season in 2010. The organization represents Philadelphia through competitive play and community involvement while hosting home matches at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania—a waterfront stadium supported by training facilities—and maintaining a roster of professional players.
Philadelphia Union has achieved recognition within MLS for strong seasonal performances including winning its first Supporters’ Shield for best regular-season record in 2020 (source). The club also focuses on fostering fan engagement and supporting youth programs alongside its competitive efforts (source).
