Philadelphia Union announced their first signing of the summer on Friday, just days before the team's first match back after the World Cup. Their newest addition needs no introduction -- but upon arrival, he shared why the move to Philadelphia was the right move for both the club and his family. Hear from all-time club assist leader Kai Wagner on his return to the City of Brotherly love -- a place he considers home.
Welcome home, Kai! It is so special to see you back in this stadium. Take it all in. What emotions are you feeling right now?
A lot of emotions in this moment. I think from day one, when Sporting Director Jon Scheer called me and said ‘we need you back’, I think it was really special for me. To walk in the stadium, it feels always really, really special, and I'm really, really excited for what’s going to happen.
You've officially re-signed with the Philadelphia Union. Why did you make the decision to come back?
For me, it was first a family decision to come back, to be honest. But also a club decision. I think the way John showed me what he wants to build now and over the next couple months and years just is something really special.
 And I straight had good talks with him. The club straight wanted me back, and for me, this is always my home. This is my club. I feel so special here. Everybody knows how much this club means to me, and for me, the emotions are just high. It's still hard to reflect on everything. I think it will take a couple of days, but I'm really, really excited.
You made an instant impact in the English Championship with Birmingham City. Can you tell me about that experience?
The experience was unbelievable, to be honest. I mean, the club is one of the biggest ones in England. Just to see the fan base there, to get the whole different lifestyle and environment was such a special experience, and I'm really grateful that I made that step – to see a different playing style and stuff was really, really special. I met great people and got a lot of new friends.
In what ways do you think that you've grown as a player and as a person?
I think when you move away a little bit, I think it helps you also to grow as yourself a little bit. I think the biggest thing, what I had to change was that I'm not the guy anymore. For me, I went there, and there was a lot of players who played at a high level already, and played in World Cups and other stuff. I wasn't the main guy anymore. For me, it was just to get there, make my mark there, but also to come back here as a leader and really want to help this team.
That being said, are there any valuable lessons that you're hoping to bring back here to Philadelphia?
When we see where the team stands at the moment, I don't think it belongs there. I watched every game. Even when the games were super late in England, I watched every game, and I saw a lot of progress already. I think it was just unlucky. I think over the next couple of weeks, I think the defense can expect a lot more, with Ryan Richter now, the new team, and what he wants to build. So I'm really, really excited about what will happen this season.
Why do you believe you're the right piece to help this team get back on track?
I think with my leadership on the field, my mentality on and off the field, I can help this team get back where it belongs. I really believe still that we can make the playoffs this year, and I think when we get the fans back in the stadium, when they see that we bring a real team on the field, I think that's going to be a big push for all of us. Also, I always talk about my neighborhood, and I’m really, really excited to have them back in the stadiums watching me play again.
You've mentioned just how much this club means to you. After all of these years, why is the Philadelphia Union so special?
All three of my kids were born here in Philadelphia. Philadelphia is my home now, so that's why I'm even more excited to be back home. Germany is my first home, but Philadelphia became my first home over the last couple of years. So I'm really excited for the future, the future for my kids, the future for my wife, and just to bring this club back to the good.Â
Let's talk about the Wagner family. Just how excited are they to be back in Philadelphia?
We just arrived today, so I think it will take a couple of days. Just to see them back on the field with me, I think it will be really, really special. I think it will be emotional too. But they are so, so happy to be home, and that's also why I made the move.
