Ricardo Pepi will reportedly be heading back to the Dutch Eredivisie this season, but this time on a permanent deal.
PSV has acquired Pepi on a permanent transfer from German Bundesliga side FC Augsburg, CBS Sports and ESPN reported Tuesday. Augsburg will receive a €9 million ($9.8 million) transfer fee and Pepi is slated to sign a five-year deal, according to the reports.
Both PSV and Feyenoord showed interest in Pepi earlier this spring following his impressive loan spell with FC Groningen. Former U.S. men’s national team sporting director Earnie Stewart is now the director of football at PSV.
Pepi, 20, led FC Groningen with 13 goals scored in all competitions for the relegated side. 12 of his goals came in league play, but FC Groningen couldn’t avoid the drop to the Dutch second tier.
A former FC Dallas academy product, Pepi scored 16 goals in 59 MLS appearances with FC Dallas before moving to Augsburg in January 2022. Pepi made four appearances for Augsburg last summer before earning a loan move to Groningen for continued playing time and development.
Pepi recently featured in both of the USMNT’s Concacaf Nations League Matches this month, scoring once in a 3-0 triumph over Mexico. He also featured off the bench against Canada in the Nations League Final.
PSV finished second in the Eredivisie this season, earning a spot in the UEFA Champions League Qualifying Round.
Since PSV regularly plays in the Championship League, it is potentially a move up from Augsburg. Also, if he does well, he could easily move to a top league in 2-3 years.
My guess Augsburg will receive a good sell on portion in the future.
Even 15 years removed from dominating on the intramural fields on campus, I think I’d score about 5-10 goals playing for PSV (or Ajax, etc.)
If Pepi wins the starting job then chalk him down for a 20 goal season.