Tranquillo Barnetta to depart Union after season

Union midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta's contract expires at the end of the season. On Tuesday morning, the Swiss playmaker and the team announced that he won't be extending his time in Philadelphia.

Instead, the 31-year-old will return to his native country to rejoin St. Gallen, his hometown club where his career began 14 years ago.

"I'm not from the area here, and still [fans] have supported me every single time," he said. "I will miss them for sure, and I will enjoy even more the last games here with the Union."

Word first got out that Barnetta might leave two weeks ago, when the newspaper in St. Gallen reported that he was considering coming home after the season. He also said he was considering a contract extension with the Union.

It was Barnetta's decision to make as a free agent, and it's clear that he's going home for reasons beyond soccer.

"It was always my dream to go back and be able to play for the team where everything started," Barnetta said at Tuesday's practice. "I will do everything I can to keep going this season, as far as we can go."

That, of course, means the playoffs. The Union are just a few points short of clinching their first postseason berth since 2011, and just the second ever in team history. Barnetta is a big reason for that, and is a big reason why plenty of observers around MLS think the Union can make a strong run.

"We are not done yet, but we are in a good spot with this great team," he said. "It would be a great thing to reach the playoffs with this great team."

Unfortunately, Barnetta has been hobbled a bit lately due to a knee injury he sustained during the game at Portland earlier this month. Barnetta said he hopes to be able to play in Saturday's game at the rival New York Red Bulls.

Union sporting director Earnie Stewart said in a statement that Barnetta "has been a key piece in what we're trying to build here in Philadelphia, but we appreciate his decision to return to Switzerland."

Barnetta, in turn, praised Stewart and his colleagues.

Earlier Tuesday, Barnetta posted a letter to fans on his Facebook page, both in German and (slightly broken) English:

Dear Union fans and family

Even if it was (and still is) an awesome and excited time playing here in Philly, I decided last week to go back to the Club where my professional carreer has started. I'm gonna join FC St. Gallen in Switzerland in early 2017.

It never has been a secret that I want to return to the place where I belong and which has been the fire cracker for my international career. The timing seems right to me now and I really look forward to get back home and to give something back again to the Club and City which did make my career possible.

At this stage, I wanna say a big thank you to all of my Union Fans, to the whole Team and Staff, which made it really easy to me from the very beginning. My experience here is unforgettable and I definitely will enjoy every single second which remains. Let's secure Playoffs now !

To all my fans at home: Thank you for waiting for me for such a long time and for all your support due my time off home. I never took that for granted, I even more appreaciate it and look forward to get back home and seeing you all around the pitch and in St. Gallen.