It’s been a busy summer of moves for members of the U.S. Men’s National Team. There’s been World Cup veterans reuniting at new clubs, players joining Champions League bound teams, or simply improving the opportunity to earn regular minutes in some of the top leagues in Europe.
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PLAYER
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TO
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FROM
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DATE
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Tim Weah
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Juventus (ITA)
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Lille (FRA)
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July 1, 2023
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Ricardo Pepi
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PSV Eindhoven (NED)
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Augsburg (GER)
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July 7, 2023
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Brenden Aaronson*
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Union Berlin (GER)
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Leeds United (ENG)
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July 9, 2023
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Christian Pulisic
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AC Milan (ITA)
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Chelsea (ENG)
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July 13, 2023
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| George Bello |
LASK (AUS) |
Arminia Bielfeld (GER) |
July 14, 2023 |
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Erik Palmer-Brown
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Panathinaikos (GRE)
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Troyes (FRA)
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Aug. 2, 2023
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| Matthew Hoppe |
San Jose Earthquakes (USA) |
Middlesbrough (ENG) |
Aug. 3, 2023 |
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Auston Trusty
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Sheffield United (ENG)
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Arsenal (ENG)
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Aug. 3, 2023
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Yunus Musah
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AC Milan (ITA)
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Valencia (ESP)
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Aug. 4, 2023
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Haji Wright
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Coventry City (ENG)
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Antalyaspor (TUR)
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Aug. 4, 2023
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Matt Turner
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Nottingham Forest (ENG)
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Arsenal (ENG)
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Aug. 9, 2023
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Gaga Slonina*
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KAS Eupen (BEL)
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Chelsea
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Aug. 10, 2023
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Malik Tillman*
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PSV Eindhoven (NED)
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Bayern Munich (GER)
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Aug. 10, 2023
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| Tyler Adams |
Bournemouth (ENG) |
Leeds United (ENG) |
Aug. 20, 2023 |
| Sergiño Dest* |
PSV Eindhoven (NED) |
Barcelona (ESP) |
Aug. 21, 2023 |
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*Loan
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TIM WEAH
Lille (FRA) to Juventus (ITA)
Following one of his busiest professional seasons yet, forward Tim Weah made the jump from France to legendary Italian club Juventus on July 1.
Last fall, the winger became the 23rd USMNT player to score at the World Cup, netting the lone goal against Wales for a crucial 1-1 draw in the USA’s Qatar 2022 opener. At the club level, Weah set career bests with 18 starts and 1747 minutes in Ligue 1. During his time with Lille, he helped Les Dogues win their first title in 10 years in 2020-21 and made his UEFA Champions League debut the following season.
Wearing No. 22 with Juventus, Weah joins U.S. midfielder Weston McKennie at the club. His USMNT teammate teed up his first goal with the Bianconeri during a preseason friendly on Aug. 3 against Real Madrid. Juventus finished seventh in Serie A last season and will look for Weah to help them get back on track as one of the top teams in Italian soccer.
Weah kicks off the Serie A season on Aug. 20 vs. Udinese.
RICARDO PEPI
Augsburg (GER) to PSV Eindhoven (NED)
Despite a slow start to his European career with Augsburg in winter 2022, forward Ricardo Pepi made waves in the Dutch Eredivisie with Groningen last season. Joining on a season-long loan for the 2022-23 campaign, El Tren was a bright spot in a tough season for the club which finished last and was relegated to the Eerste Divisie. Pepi led the team in scoring with 13 goals across all competitions and his 12 league goals were tied for seventh in the Dutch top-flight.
Pepi’s performance caught the eye of Dutch power PSV Eindhoven, who signed the El Paso native on July 7 to a contract through the 2027-28 season.
PSV won a trophy in Pepi’s competitive debut, a 1-0 victory against Feyenoord on Aug. 4 in the Johan Cruyff Shield, played between the previous season’s league and cup winners.
The 20-year-old striker will wear No. 14 and has a chance to make his debut in European competition this fall as PSV is amid UEFA Champions League qualifying. The club is currently in the third of four qualifying rounds, but even if it loses it will be entered in the UEFA Europa League group stage.
PSV kicks off the Eredivisie season on Aug. 12 vs. Utrecht.
BRENDEN AARONSON
Loan from Leeds United (ENG) to Union Berlin (GER)
After Leeds United was relegated during forward Brenden Aaronson’s first Premier League campaign last season, the New Jersey native will take on a new top-five league as he dons the No. 7 and joins Union Berlin in the German Bundesliga.
Following a strong 2022-23 campaign, Aaronson will play in the UEFA Champions League with Union Berlin as the club makes its competition debut. Die Eiseren finished fourth in the Bundesliga last season, its best finish since earning promotion for the first time in 2019. The U.S. winger previously played on Europe’s biggest stage with Red Bull Salzburg during the 2021-22 season, making 10 appearances and netting two goals. At Union Berlin, he joins an attack that features USMNT striker Jordan Pefok, who netted four goals last season for the club.
Aaronson joined Union on July 9 for a season-long loan. He’ll have a chance to make his competitive debut on Aug. 13 in the DFB-Pokal against Astoria Walldorf.
CHRISTIAN PULISIC
Chelsea (ENG) to AC Milan (ITA)
After becoming the first American to win and play in a UEFA Champions League Final with Chelsea, forward Christian Pulisic will take on a new challenge this season with Italian giant AC Milan. Announced on July 13, the USMNT’s talismanic attacker signed a contract through the 2026-27 season with the option to extend through 2028. The Rossoneri will compete in the Champions League after finishing fourth in Serie A last season and reaching the UCL Semifinals.
Pulisic enjoyed a productive four seasons with Chelsea, announcing his arrival to the English Premier League with a hat trick just a few months into his career with the Blues. He was a key part of the 2020-21 Champions League title, becoming the first U.S. player to score in the semifinals before lifting the trophy.
Wearing No. 11 for the Rossoneri, Pulisic already netted his first goal for his new club, the opening tally during a 1-1 draw and ensuing 6-5 penalty kick win against AC Monza in the inaugural Trofeo Silvio Berlusconi, a new preseason friendly to honor the former Italian prime minister who passed away earlier this summer.
Pulisic opens the Serie A campaign with AC Milan on Aug. 21 against Bologna.
GEORGE BELLO
Arminia Bielefeld (GER) to LASK (AUT)
The 21-year-old defender takes his talents to the Austrian Bundesliga, heading to LASK on a free transfer after two seasons at Arminia Bielefeld.
Bello departs the German club after making 31 appearances spanning two seasons, his side twice experiencing relegation. Meanwhile, LASK finished third in the table last year. Still age-eligible for the Olympics, he has collected seven caps with the senior USMNT.
LASK opens the 2023-24 league campaign at home on Aug. 12 against FC Blau-Weiß Linz.
ERIK PALMER-BROWN
Troyes (FRA) to Panathinaikos (GRE)
Following a number of loan spells across Europe, defender Erik Palmer-Brown found a consistent club home with Troyes in the French Ligue 1 from 2021-23. He played all 38 league matches last season, but the clubs 19th-place finish saw it relegated to Ligue 2.
🇺🇸 in ☘️history! 𝑬𝒓𝒊𝒌 𝑷𝒂𝒍𝒎𝒆𝒓 - 𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒏 🟢⚪️#Panathinaikos #PAOFC pic.twitter.com/Pql3CKE069
— Panathinaikos F.C. (@paofc_)
August 3, 2023
Now, Palmer-Brown heads to a powerhouse in Greece with Panathinaikos, signing a contract through the 2026-27 season on Aug. 2. The Shamrock are one of Greece’s most successful clubs, finishing second in the Greek Super League last season and are guaranteed European competition this fall. Currently in the third of four qualifying rounds for the UEFA Champions League, if Panathinaikos falls during this round, it will join the UEFA Europa League group stage.
Palmer-Brown will kick off the domestic campaign on Aug. 19 vs. Atromitos.
MATTHEW HOPPE
Middlesbrough (ENG) to San Jose Earthquakes (USA)
The U.S. international is playing domestically for the first time after agreeing a season-long loan with the San Jose Earthquakes.
The 22-year-old split last season in different parts of the UK, opening the campaign with Middlesbrough before heading north for the second stanza on loan to Scottish Premier League club Hibernian in Edinburgh. The United States will be his fifth stop on the world tour of his young career, having had previous stints at Schalke in Germany and Mallorca in Spain.
The Yorba Linda, Calif., native has made eight appearances for the USMNT, tallying an assist in the group stage and scoring the game-winning goal against Jamaica in the quarterfinals of championship run in the 2021 Gold Cup.
AUSTON TRUSTY
Arsenal (ENG) to Sheffield United (ENG)
Following a breakthrough standout season in the English Championship, center back Auston Trusty is making the jump to the Premier League with Sheffield United.
After signing with Arsenal in January 2022, Trusty was loaned to Birmingham City for the 2022-23 season and immediately became a fixture for the Blues, starting 44 of 46 matches and adding four goals. He was named Player of the Season by the Birmingham City Supporters.
Sheffield United earned promotion to the Premier League after a two-year spell in the Championship and will hope Trusty, set to wear No. 5, can bolster its back line in England’s top flight. He signed a deal through the 2026-27 season with Unitedon Aug. 3 and he’ll have the opportunity to make his Premier League debut on Saturday, Aug. 12 vs. Crystal Palace.
YUNUS MUSAH
Valencia (ESP) to AC Milan (ITA)
Midfielder Yunus Musah and Pulisic are the latest pair of USMNT teammates in Europe after the 20-year-old joined the Serie A powerhouse on Aug. 4, signing a contract with AC Milan through the 2027-28 season.
Last season, Musah helped Valencia escape relegation with a 16th-place finish in La Liga. He broke through at a remarkably early age for the club, making regular impact appearances during the start of the 2020-21 season at just 17 years old, which earned him his first USMNT call-up in November 2020.
Now, the cheerful midfielder will have his first opportunity to play in the UEFA Champions League with AC Milan. He’ll wear No. 80 with the Rossoneri in homage to Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, who wore 80 during three seasons in Milan from 2008-2011.
Musah will have his first chance for official action with AC Milan in Serie A against Bologna on Aug. 21.
HAJI WRIGHT
Antalyaspor (TUR) to Coventry City (ENG)
After two seasons tearing it up in the Turkish SüperLig, forward Haji Wright is headed to England to test himself in the hard-nosed English Championship. He signed with Coventry City on Aug. 4, marking the fifth European nation where he’s played professionally.
🩵 pic.twitter.com/WWFBcGL7Fw
— Coventry City (@Coventry_City)
August 4, 2023
Wright kicked off his career abroad in the German Bundesliga with Schalke and bounced around a few clubs before finding his footing with Turkey’s Antalyaspor, netting 29 goals in two seasons with the club. In 2022-23, Wright’s 15 goals were tied for sixth in the league. Named to the USA’s 2022 FIFA World Cup roster, the center forward pulled one back late in the USMNT’s 3-1 Round of 16 defeat to the Netherlands.
Coventry finished fifth in the Championship last season, reaching the promotion play-off final before falling to Luton Town (and USMNT goalkeeper Ethan Horvath) in penalties. Wright will aim to help the Sky Blues return to the Premier League for the first time since 2000-01.
Wearing No. 11, Wright made his Coventry City debut just two days after signing, coming on as a second-half substitute in Coventry’s league opener vs. Leicester City on Aug. 6.
MATT TURNER
Arsenal (ENG) to Nottingham Forest (ENG)
As he begins his second season abroad, goalkeeper Matt Turner is primed for an opportunity to start in the English Premier League with a move to Nottingham Forest. After spending most of last season as a back-up at Arsenal during its EPL runner-up campaign, Turner completed a move to Forest on Aug. 9, signing a contract through the 2026-27 season.
Turner burst onto the USMNT scene in 2021, winning the Golden Glove at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup as he allowed just one goal in six games. This summer, he backstopped the U.S. at both the Concacaf Nations League Finals and the Gold Cup, becoming the fastest USMNT goalkeeper to 20 wins and 20 shutouts, doing so in 30 international appearances.
Turner joins U.S. goalkeeper Ethan Horvath on the books at Nottingham. Wearing the No. 1 shirt, he kicks off the EPL season against his former club Arsenal on Aug. 12.
GAGA SLONINA
Loan from Chelsea (ENG) to KAS Eupen (BEL)
After spending his first half-season in Europe with Chelsea’s U-21 squad, goalkeeper Gaga Slonina will have a chance for first-team football this year with KAS Eupen in the Belgian Pro League after completing a season-long loan deal on Aug. 10.
Slonina played eight matches for Chelsea U-21 in the Premier League 2 this spring before backstopping the U-20 Men’s Youth National Team to a record fourth-straight quarterfinal appearance at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, helping the U.S. keep four-consecutive clean sheets for the first time at the tournament. Afterwards, he was named to the 2023 Gold Cup roster as a back-up to starting ‘keeper Matt Turner.
Now, he’ll be minding the net for the Pandas, who finished 15th in Belgium last season. He could make his European first-division debut as early as Aug. 13 when Eupen takes on Belgian power Club Brugge.
MALIK TILLMAN
Loan from Bayern Munich (GER) to PSV Eindhoven (NED)
Twenty-one-year-old midfielder Malik Tillman enjoyed a breakout campaign last season at Rangers in Scotland, on loan from German powerhouse Bayern Munich. He made 43 appearances for the Scottish giants across all competitions, netting 12 goals. Following his standout year, Tillman was voted to the Scottish Premiership Team of the Season and named Rangers’ Young Player of the Season.
On Thursday, August 10, it was announced that he will join USMNT teammate Ricardo Pepi at PSV Eindhoven and don the No. 10 shirt for the season looking to replicate his loan success from 2022-23. The duo will aim to help PSV qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2018-19 as it’s currently competing in the third of four qualifying rounds. Tillman made his debut in UCL play with Rangers last spring.
PSV kicks off the Eredivisie season on Aug. 12 vs. Utrecht.
TYLER ADAMS
Leeds United (ENG) to Bournemouth (ENG)
After a season at Leeds United which was cut short through injury and left Adams helpless to assist in their effort to stave off relegation, the USMNT World Cup captain will stay in Premier League following a transfer to Bournemouth on Sunday, August 20.
❤️ pic.twitter.com/EKSheQGnXj
— AFC Bournemouth
🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 20, 2023
The 24-year-old New York Red Bull academy product had established himself as a key figure at Elland Road and was a regular starter for Leeds, making 24 appearances until a hamstring injury in March cut short his season.
Adams was voted the 2022 BioSteel U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year after captaining the U.S. Men’s National Team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Selected by his teammates to wear the armband in Qatar, the midfielder led the USMNT in minutes played last year and featured in every minute of the USA’s successful World Cup run while winning the DFB-Pokal with RB Leipzig before moving to Leeds.
He now heads to the coastal town of Bournemouth and a club owned by Bill Foley, a U.S. businessman who founded the 2023 Stanley Cup champion Las Vegas Golden Knights. Adams will wear the No. 18 shirt for The Cherries.
SERGIÑO DEST
Loan from Barcelona (ESP) to PSV Eindhoven (NED)
The USMNT fullback returns to the land of his birth on a season-long loan to PSV Eindhoven, becoming the third signing this summer of a U.S. international by former U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Earnie Stewart.
😏 pic.twitter.com/PwDEq4DHtp
— PSV (@PSV)
August 21, 2023
A product of the Ajax Academy in Holland, Dest moved to Spanish giants FC Barcelona in 2020 and spent last season on loan to AC Milan in Italy. He now joins U.S. teammates Ricardo Pepi and Malik Tillman in Eindhoven, the club having finished in second place in the Dutch Eredivisie two years running.
Dest – who played all four matches for the United States in the 2022 FIFA World Cup - will sport the No. 8 jersey for PSV, who are in the UEFA Champions League Playoff Round and will face Rangers from Scotland on Aug. 22 in the first leg of the series.
