Football
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Philadelphia Union sign Rais M'Bolhi

Philadelphia Union have acquired Algerian international Rais M'Bolhi in an effort to boost their struggling goalkeeping core. The goalkeeper will be eligible to play for the Union upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.

The 28-year-old recently helped Algeria to the knockout round of the World Cup for the first time in the country's history. M'Bolhi had a spectacular 11-save performance in the round of 16 against eventual champion Germany, which pushed the game into extra time. Although Algeria eventually lost 2-1, M'Bolhi earned man of the match honors.

M'Bolhi made his debut for Algeria in 2010 and starred for Algeria in the 2010 World Cup, even keeping England at bay in a clean-sheet debut. M'Bohli will also be remembered for his game against the United States, where Landon Donovan's famous goal in the 91st minute sent the Yanks to the knockout stage. That goal was the only one allowed by M'Bohli in the tournament.

M'Bohli joins the Union from CSKA Sofia, which plays in the Bulgarian A Football Group. He began his career in France with Marseille and made stops in Greece and Japan before signing on with Slavia Sofia in Bulgaria in 2009, where he garnered the league's Best Goalkeeper honors. In 2010, M'Bolhi was loaned to CSKA Sofia. Over the next three seasons he made appearances for Krylia Sovetov in Russia and Gazelec Ajaccio in Corsica before returning to CSKA Sofia in 2013.

To make room for their acquisition, the Union waived goalkeeper Brian Holt.

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