Source: GK Mondragon set to join Union

It appears the rumor regarding Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon joining the Union holds some truth.

It was first reported in German magazine "Kicker" that the Union has struck a deal with the 39-year-old goalkeeper. The Daily News has learned from a source close to the situation, that a contract has been "put into place" that only awaits approval from Major League Soccer. Mondragon, who currently plays for FC Koln (Cologne) in the German Bundesliga, would arrive via a free transfer.

Union officials would not comment on the proceedings, and a call placed to manager Peter Nowak, who handles all player personnel issues, was returned via text that simply said he was unable to comment on "players or personnel currently under contract." The "Kicker" report claims that Mondragon's contract has an agreement with former Koln general manager Michael Meier that would allow him to leave the club with no strings attached upon the Bundesliga's winter break, which begins on Dec. 20.

Originally, reports were that Mondragon was being pursued by the Union's Eastern Conference rival Red Bull New York. The friendship between Mondragon and former Red Bulls forward Juan Pablo Angel - Angel is godfather to Mondragon's son - was said to have enticed Mondragon, miffed with his current club, to greener pastures in New York.

Mondragon was relegated to second string this season and replaced after rifts with Koln boss Zvonimir Soldo over his desire to compete in more international competitions. Mondragon was in goal for Colombia's scoreless draw against the United States in the Oct. 12 friendly at PPL Park.

If (and apparently when) finalized, the deal will assuredly mean the exodus of either Chris Seitz, 23, or Brad Knighton, 26, both of whom failed to impress as Union goalkeepers in the team's inaugural season. Seitz, along with Brazilian midfielder Fred are still up for grabs through the MLS' new two-part re-entry draft. The second phase of the draft, which allows teams to offer contracts or retain rights to a player out of contract, is scheduled for Wednesday.

It's uncertain if Mondragon's signing becomes official whether he'll become the Union's first designated player. He will be its fifth international, joining countrymen Juan Diego Gonzalez and Roger Torres and Eduardo Coudet (Argentina) and Toni Stahl (Finland).