DeAndre Yedlin is back where his professional career started with hopes of playing a leading role for Inter Miami.
The Eastern Conference club signed Yedlin on Wednesday after holding the No. 1 spot in the MLS Allocation Ranking. Yedlin signed a four-year MLS contract, which includes a club option for 2026.
“I’m thrilled that we’re able to bring a player of the quality of DeAndre to Inter Miami,” Inter Miami chief sporting officer and sporting director Chris Henderson said. “He is a very talented, exciting, and dynamic player on the pitch and an experienced winner who is also a positive character in the locker room that will help us improve our roster. He’s a well-rounded right back who likes to get up and down the pitch and has proven himself in MLS, the Premier League, the Süper Lig, and at the international level, and we look forward to seeing him help us succeed now at Inter Miami.”
The 28-year-old right back makes the move back to MLS from Turkish Super Lig side Galatasaray after spending one season there. Yedlin has totaled 190 appearances between stops in the English Premier League, EFL Championship, and Super Lig.
Yedlin began his career with the Seattle Sounders in 2014, being signed as the club’s first-ever Homegrown Player. He went on total 65 appearances between MLS, U.S. Open Cup, and Concacaf Champions League play before moving to Europe.
Inter Miami has continued to bolster its defensive options this offseason, bringing Yedlin in along with Jamaican international Damion Lowe.
Here is a closer look at all of the recent MLS news:
FC Dallas adds youth forward Velasco
FC Dallas filled the void left by Ricardo Pepi on Tuesday, bolstering its attacking front even more ahead of the 2022 MLS season.
Alan Velasco joined the Western Conference club on a permanent transfer from Argentinian side Independiente. He signed a contract as a Young Designated Player with FC Dallas after totaling 10 goals and 10 assists in 71 combined appearances for Independiente.
“Alan Velasco is an incredibly special talent,” FC Dallas president Dan Hunt said. “You don’t often get a chance to bring a young player that’s at the top of the league. He’s incredibly dynamic, he beats people off the dribble. He’s a great passer and the creative way he approaches the game is special and unique. It will be really exciting to see him in Major League Soccer with his ability and style of play.”
Velasco is the second major acquisition by the club this offseason, joining veteran winger Paul Arriola this season. Nico Estevez now has an attacking front which features Arriola, Velasco, and striker Jesus Ferreira, who is coming off of a career-best season for Dallas.
FC Dallas missed the playoffs in 2021, which led to the firing of head coach Luchi Gonzalez.
Timbers sign midfielder David Ayala
The Portland Timbers also added a promising young South American talent on Tuesday, signing midfielder David Ayala to a four-year contract.
Ayala joins from Argentinian first division side Estudiantes and will occupy both a U-22 initiative slot and an international roster spot on the Timbers roster. The 19-year-old made his debut for Estuadiantes in 2019 and since has totaled 32 appearances in the Primeira Division.
“We’re incredibly excited to bring David to the Timbers,” Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese said. “He’s a player we’ve had our eyes on, and from constant communication with the people that have helped in his development, there has been great, positive feedback about him. His talent will strengthen us and make us more competitive. He shows great potential to grow as a player, and we feel Portland will be a great environment for him.”
Ayala has been capped 13 times for Argentina’s Under-17 national team. The defensive midfielder was part of Argentina’s U-17 squad that won the Tournament Valentin Granatkin Memorial in Russia and most recently was a part of the Under-20 national team in December 2020.
Portland will seek another strong campaign in 2022 after finishing as runners-up in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Justin Morrow joins Toronto FC as Technical Development Manager
Justin Morrow may have said goodbye to his playing days with Toronto FC, but isn’t permanently leaving the club.
The Eastern Conference club named Morrow as their new Technical Development Manager on Tuesday. Morrow will assist the pathway development between the TFC academy, Toronto FC II, and first team through both sporting and strategic initiatives.
He will also lead Equity Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) efforts in collaboration with MLSE initiatives to inspire positive and enduring social change.
“I’m so grateful to be starting off the next chapter of my career with the club that has been my home for the past eight years,” said Morrow. “I hope to make this next chapter just as memorable as the last by helping Toronto FC win from outside the lines and I can’t wait to get started.”
Morrow spent eight of his 12 MLS seasons with TFC, totaling 254 appearances. He was awarded the 2021 MLS Works Humanitarian of Year, and during TFC’s 2017 MLS Cup championship campaign, Morrow was voted to the MLS Best XI.
Quick Kicks:
- Minnesota United signed free agent defender Oniel Fisher on Wednesday. Fisher signed a one-year deal with the Loons and has 78 appearances of MLS experience under his belt.
- FC Cincinnati has mutually parted ways with midfielder Kyle Scott after his frustrating time in MLS. Scott, a former Chelsea and Newcastle United U-23 player, made only four appearances with FC Cincy while also dealing with injuries