Playing time was hard to come by for Anthony Fontana with Italian Serie B side Ascoli, but the young midfielder has a new and exciting opportunity to get his career back on track.

Fontana signed with Dutch second tier side PEC Zwolle for the remainder of the Eerste Divisie season, the club announced Wednesday. The former Philadelphia Union homegrown midfielder is reunited with manager Dick Schreuder (who served as an assistant coach in Philadelphia) and midfield teammate Haris Medunjanin, who both were members of the Union until 2019.

PEC Zwolle also holds an option to extend Fontana’s contract through the 2023-24 season.

“We see being able to attract Anthony as a great opportunity. In his almost three-week internship, he has shown that he is a true football player,” PEC Zwolle technical director Marcel Boudesteyn said. “He can be characterized as a technical midfielder, with a lot of dynamics in his game. He also has a good mindset and wants to. And most importantly, Anthony is in top shape and can be right there if need be.”

The 23-year-old signed with Ascoli in February 2022, but only made three senior appearances for the Italian club. Fontana came through the Union’s academy before scoring 12 goals and adding one assist in 51 first team appearances.

He also logged 49 appearances with Union II in the USL, scoring one goal and adding two assists. Fontana is a former U.S. youth national team player with the Under-18’s and Under-20’s.

PEC Zwolle sits first in the Eerste Divisie with 11 matches left to play this season.