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06th Jan 2017

Liverpool midfielder Wijnaldum’s brother is the latest addition to MLS

Another sporting dynasty is developing.

Tom Victor

The football world is full of famous brothers.

Gary and Phil Neville. Kolo and Yaya Touré. Jérôme and Kevin-Prince Boateng. Kaká and Digão. Okay, some are more famous than others.

Among the pairs of siblings currently playing professionally are Georginio and Giliano Wijnaldum.

Georginio, or Gini, you will recognise from his big-money move to Liverpool from Newcastle United over the summer, but the younger brother has also been on the move of late.

That’s right, Giliano has joined MLS outfit Philadelphia Union after leaving German second-tier side VfL Bochum over the summer.

Unlike his brother, Giliano is a defensive player, usually deployed at left-back.

Union director of football Earnie Stewart worked with a young Wijnaldum at AZ Alkmaar and said the club is “excited about the talent he adds to our defensive corps”.

The Eastern Conference club, who were eliminated from last season’s MLS Playoffs by eventual MLS Cup finalists Toronto FC, begin their 2017 campaign against the same opponents on March 11.