Philadelphia Union soccer team seeks ‘chief tattoo officer’

Can Philly Union get its groove back?

With the love of thegame of soccer apparently comes a desire to get inked and, at least in Philadelphia, a need for a full-time tattoo artist.

The Philadelphia Union, part of Major League Soccer, is advertising for a full-time “chief tattoo officer” for those players, staffers and fans who have been clamoring for one or two or 10 tats.

“Must enjoy tattooing snake designs (after all, we have a snake in our crest),” the team noted in its advertisement for the job.

“Our CTO, Chief Tattoo Officer, will be responsible for providing services to players and front office staff,” the Union wrote in thejob listing. “Occasionally, fan events will also be held with the CTO for the most loyal fans who want a tattoo to represent their passion for their favorite soccer club, the Union.”

The listing is open to individual artists or tattoo parlors. Applicants must operate a “shop of permanent residency” in Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware. The Union is seekingan artist with experience in styles such as “American Traditional, Realism, Japanese and more,” as well as a fondness for snakes.

The Union made the playoffs for the first time in 2016, ending a long drought, but performed below expectations and lost in the first round. They’re expected to perform better this season.

But what they lack in trophies, they make up for with diehard fans. Local backers formed the “Sons of Ben” team support group in 2007 — in a nod to Benjamin Franklin — before the Union was even officially formed.