Report: Union pick Dockal to fill hole at No. 10
The Union’s protracted search for an attacking midfielder seems to have homed in on a European target by way of Asia.
Per the agency representing Borek Dockal, the Czech midfielder is in the United States negotiating a move to the Philadelphia Union from his club in China.
The 29-year-old could be the Union’s answer to a lingering issue at the central attacking midfield spot, a dose of veteran savvy to fill a gaping void that management has identified as a priority but has been slow to remedy.
Dockal played 23 matches for Henan Jianye last year, scoring four goals and adding five assists. Henan finished 14th in the 16-team Super League known for doling out ludicrous sums of money. He was purchased from Sparta Prague Feb. 24, 2017 for a transfer fee of 7.65 million pounds, per Transfermarkt.com, and is under contract until 2020. Whether the Union are looking for a permanent transfer or loan is unclear.
Dockal debuted for Slavia Prague before playing for Slovan Liberec in the Czech First League. He ventured out of the country to Turkish club Konyaspor on loan and three seasons in Norway with Rosenborg before three-and-a-half years with Sparta Prague (where his teammates included Union winger Fafa Picault).
Dockal captained the Czech Republic’s Under-21 team and has made 35 appearances for the senior team, scoring six goals. He wore the No. 9 for the Czechs at Euro 2016 and started in the group-ending loss to Turkey. The Czechs were eliminated with just a draw from three matches. He’s played a total of 61 Europa League/Champions League matches or qualifiers, scoring 14 goals and dishing 25 assists.
Dockal would figure to step into a prime role with the Union if the deal is clinched. The 5-foot-11 playmaker can create with either foot and has a nose for goal. The Union’s current options at the position are limited, even before Ilsinho’s groin injury curtailed his preseason prematurely to seek treatment in Philadelphia. Young players Adam Najem and Anthony Fontana have impressed in spurts, but Najem is a second-year pro and Fontana is an 18-year-old Homegrown.