Mark McKenzie is heading back to where it all started for him in 2027. McKenzie will rejoin the Philadelphia Union in a permanent move from French Ligue 1 side Toulouse, both clubs announced Wednesday. McKenzie will hold a Designated Player contract with the Union, which will officially begin on January 1, 2027. McKenzie’s contract will run through the 2029-30 MLS season and also includes a club option for 2030-31. “Bringing Mark back to Philadelphia is a significant moment for our club and reflects the values and ambition of this city and our organization,” said Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Jon Scheer. “Mark came through our Academy, established himself with the First Team, and over the last several years has had success at the highest levels for both club and country, most recently representing the United States at the World Cup this past summer. “This is an exciting time for our club, but also a critical period for the Union as we continue building for the future. Adding a player of Mark’s quality in the prime of his career, along with his leadership and commitment to continued growth and elevating those around him, will strengthen our club’s foundation moving forward as we pursue our goals of winning and reaching new heights. We’re excited about what we can achieve together,” Scheer added. A Union academy graduate, McKenzie made 48 appearances for the club in his first spell there before embarking to Europe. McKenzie played four seasons with Belgian side Genk before joining Toulouse during the 2024-25 season. As a 21-year-old, McKenzie earned MLS Best XI honors and finished runner-up for MLS Defender of the Year award in 2020, helping lead the Union to lifting the Supporters’ Shield, the first trophy in club history.The 27-year-old centerback has since made 72 appearances for Toulouse, scoring one goal. In total, McKenzie has made 200 combined appearances between Genk and Toulouse, which has led to 30 U.S. Men’s National Team caps to date.McKenzie and Toulouse currently sit 13th in the Ligue 1 standings this fall, registering five points from five matches. He could make as many as nine additional appearances for Toulouse before moving back to North America.