Younghusbands join Loyola FC-Meralco

MANILA—Unattached the past few years, brothers Phil and James Younghusband will finally get to play regular club football, this time in the Philippines.

The two popular members of the national team, who spent time with English Premier League club Chelsea when they were teenagers, are set to sign three-year deals with Loyola FC-Meralco in the United Football League, which starts with a UFL Cup competition in October.

“The Younghusbands see joining the UFL as a win-win situation,” a reliable source close to the Fil-British brothers said.

“Joining Loyola will allow them to play club football and also give them an opportunity to help uplift the level of football in the league.”

Phil is the national team’s current top scorer with 15 goals since debuting for the Azkals in 2006, while James has tallied four so far.

The brothers’ entry comes as another boost for the UFL, which has struck a five-year, P150-million television deal with TV5 to have its matches aired live.

The brothers are the latest members of the Azkals joining the Manila-based premier league.

Striker Angel Guirado has also linked up with Global FC, joining teammate Misagh Bahadoran, while Nate Burkey and Jason Sabio have signed with Kaya FC, where skipper Aly Borromeo and Anton del Rosario are regulars.

Defending league champion Air Force has Chieffy Caligdong and Ian Araneta in its fold, while Army boasts of Ed Sacapano, Roel Gener and Nestorio Margarse.