PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Philadelphia Union announced the following via press release:

Philadelphia Union today announced the signing of German midfielder/forward Kai Herdling, on loan from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim 1899. Herdling will be eligible to play for the Union upon completion of his P-1 visa and receipt of his international transfer certificate (ITC) .Per MLS and club policy, terms of the loan will not be disclosed.

In 24 appearances this season for Hoffenheim II, the club’s reserve team, the 27-year-old is currently second in assists in the Regionalliga Süd with 14, while adding nine goals. In 2010-2011, the striker netted 19 goals in only 30 appearances. Herdling has served as captain for Hoffenheim II.

Herdling played the first half of the 2009 season with SV Waldhof Mannheim of the Regionalliga Süd, where he scored 10 goals in 14 appearances. He returned to 1899 Hoffenheim in January 2010 and has appeared once for the first team since.

Before signing professionally, Herdling featured for the youth sides of SG Heidelberg-Kirchheim (1996-2000) & SpVgg Neckarsteinach (2000-2002).