The transfer deadline has slammed shut yet again, and plenty of Americans had already found their new homes before the dying days of the deadline. Brendan Aaronson and Tyler Adams have been tearing it up at Leeds, Jordan Pefok has hit the ground running in Germany at Union Berlin, and Malik Tillman has been flying for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. But as the deadline came to a close, last gasp moves were made for USMNT players, and some (one in particular), were unable to go.
Americans Abroad: Transfer Deadline Round-Up
I’m so proud and excited to join the Champions of Italy and such a historic club! Forza Milan
@acmilan pic.twitter.com/E8r6Jri9kU
— Sergiño Dest (@sergino_dest) September 1, 2022
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Sergino Dest to AC Milan
Official Statement: @sergino_dest
https://t.co/08ovgEnYwf
Comunicato Ufficiale: Sergiño Dest
— AC Milan (@acmilan) September 1, 2022
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Dest had been linked with Manchester United for a while. The ties with former Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag made a move to Old Trafford seem pretty likely. But in the last couple of days, last season’s Serie A champs AC Milan swooped in and signed Dest to a season-long loan with a 20 million euro buy option.
John Brooks to Benfica
Bem-vindo, Brooks!
Welcome!#EuAmoOBenfica || #Brooks pic.twitter.com/ZExPkR8TEh
— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) September 1, 2022
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Out of favor with the USMNT, it was imperative for John Brooks to find a home that could earn him his place back with Qatar. He may have just found it, moving to Portuguese side of Benfica. Champions League soccer for Brooks is massive for him trying to get back on Berhalter’s good side.
Ricardo Pepi loan to FC Groningen
𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟗.
— FC Groningen (@fcgroningen) September 1, 2022
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Augsburg are not great. USMNT striker Ricardo Pepi was being dragged down by the struggle of being on a bad team in a good league. Pepi was loaned away to Dutch side FC Groningen. Hopefully the move to an easier league will help the 19 year pick up his form. Qatar seems to be out of the picture for Pepi however, with Sargent, Ferreira, and Pefok leading the charge to be the strikers at the world cup.
Djordje Mihailovic to AZ Alkmaar
— AZ (@AZAlkmaar) August 24, 2022
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CF Montreal star Djordje Mihailovic is joining Ricardo Pepi in the Eredivisie. Mihailovic is joining AZ Alkmaar in the Winter transfer window, but the move was finalized about a week ago. This is a really good move for Mihailovic, who has been tearing it up in MLS. USMNT fans were devastated when he was forced to miss the last camp with an injury. That injury probably cost him a shot at making the Qatar squad.
Americans Abroad: Transfer Deadline on the Christian Pulisic Saga
This is the big one. Reports all summer of Pulisic wanting out and Tuchel not trusting him made it seem like a given that he was going to move. But here we are post-transfer window, and Pulisic is still held hostage at Chelsea. Getting 20-minute cameos out of position every game for the Blues is not what USMNT fans wanted to see for Captain America. Links with Manchester United and Newcastle gave hope that a move was imminent. But ultimately, Pulisic stays at Chelsea. With the Tuchel’s been treating him, don’t be shocked if he gets some minutes in goal.
This was a wild summer that saw plenty of Americans make really great moves ahead of the World Cup. Here’s to hoping they all stay healthy and find good form in time for November!
Photo Credit: AC Milan on September 1, 2022.
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