The 2023-24 European season is creeping ever closer to its opening weekend and for several key American players, there will be a new opportunity to shine in the top leagues around the world.
From Christian Pulisic to Tim Weah to Ricardo Pepi, many of the U.S. men’s national team’s top players have embarked to a new role in their respective club careers.
Pulisic and Weah have made the move to Serie A with AC Milan and Juventus respectively while Pepi has earned a permanent move to the Dutch Eredivisie after an impressive loan spell there last season.
Brenden Aaronson has joined his brother Paxten in the German Bundesliga on loan after joining Union Berlin. George Bello made the move to the Austrian Bundesliga after suffering back-to-back relegations in Germany.
Auston Trusty joined newly promoted EPL side Sheffield United, opening the door to a potential starting role in Paul Heckingbottom’s squad.
Duane Holmes has traded in Huddersfield Town for Preston North End in his latest quest to earn promotion in to the English Premier League.
Here is a look at the familiar Americans Abroad faces that are officially in new places for the upcoming season:
**This post will be updated once transfers become complete.
Christian Pulisic, AC Milan
Christian Pulisic’s time with English Premier League side Chelsea has come to an end, but the USMNT star now has a great opportunity to become a regular contributor in Italy.
Pulisic joined AC Milan on a permanent deal from Chelsea, proving the 24-year-old with the chance to play in a new league, new city, and several competitions. Chelsea’s disappointing 2022-23 campaign hurt Pulisic’s playing time as the Blues desperately tried to sneak into the top-ten.
Now Pulisic joins a dynamic AC Milan attack led by Rafael Leao, Olivier Giroud, and others which will be fighting for domestic and European success. AC Milan qualified for the UEFA Champions League group stage after a fourth-place finish in Serie A, providing Pulisic with another chance to play on Europe’s biggest stage.
Timothy Weah, Juventus
Another American arrival in Serie A, Timothy Weah has traded in Lille for Juventus.
Weah joined the Old Lady in a permanent move from Lille, providing him with a new opportunity to feature as an attacking player. The 23-year-old made 107 combined appearances for Lille, registering eight goals and eight assists.
However, Weah mainly featured as a wingback and fullback during the 2022-23 campaign, which is a major reason why his statistics dropped off. Weah’s versatility could see him used in a number of different ways in Serie A, whether that be as a winger, forward, or wingback.
Juventus won’t be in any of Europe’s club competitions this fall, so expect the Old Lady to give it all to return to Serie A glory.
Ricardo Pepi, PSV
Dutch giants PSV will be eager to get back to picking up silverware in the Eredivisie and Ricardo Pepi’s arrival should help in that quest.
Pepi impressed while on loan with FC Groningen last season, scoring 13 goals across all competitions for the eventually relegated squad. After the USMNT forward was linked with both Feyenoord and PSV, it was PSV who won the race for Pepi’s signature, reconnecting him with former USMNT sporting director Earnie Stewart.
Pepi will also have his first crack at a European competition with PSV set for Champions League qualifying later this summer. He has started strong with two goals already during summer camp as well.
Brenden Aaronson, Union Berlin
Brenden Aaronson endured a tough season with Leeds United in 2022-23 and now its about the USMNT attacker getting back to his best at club level.
Following Leeds’ relegation to the English second-tier, Aaronson became available for a new opportunity elsewhere. Union Berlin, who finished fourth in the Bundesliga last season, acquired Aaronson on loan for the upcoming season, giving him the chance to feature in several competitions.
The physicality of the English Premier League certainly took its toll on Aaronson, but the Bundesliga could be a great way for the 22-year-old to show off his playmaking abilities once again.
Matt Turner, Nottingham Forest
Matt Turner’s one-season stay with Arsenal has come to an end, but a new opportunity presents itself at Nottingham Forest.
Turner made an official transfer to Forest on Wednesday, signing a four-year contract with the club. After making only seven combined appearances for the Gunners last season, Turner now has a new opportunity to fight for the No. 1 job in Steve Cooper’s squad.
Although Kasper Schmeichel and/or Dean Henderson could be acquired by August’s end, Turner will have more of an opportunity to play.
Auston Trusty, Sheffield United
Auston Trusty’s time at Arsenal may be over, but a new opportunity to feature regularly now comes at Sheffield United.
Trusty signed a four-year deal with the Blades on Thursday after completing a permanent transfer away from the Emirates. The USMNT defender enjoyed a positive loan spell with Birmingham City last season, totaling over 40 appearances and being a regular in John Eustace’s squad.
Trusty’s move to Bramall Lane is a great fit for him as Sheffield United likes to play a three-centerback system, which is what he featured heavily in at Birmingham City last season.
Malik Tillman, PSV
PSV will not have one, but two USMNT players in its ranks this season.
Malik Tillman joined the Dutch giants on a season-long loan spell from Bayern Munich, which includes an option to buy. Tillman enjoyed individual success with Rangers last season, totaling 12 goals and five assists in 43 combined appearances for the Scottish club.
Although his season ended prematurely due to injury, Tillman earned several honors in Scotland, including being named to the SPFL and PFA Scotland Best XI teams, and earning SPFL and Rangers’ Young Player of the Year honors.
He now joins Ricardo Pepi in Holland, and could return to UCL play in the coming week.
Bryan Reynolds, Westerlo
Westerlo retained one of its key defenders last season in the form of American fullback Bryan Reynolds.
Reynolds logged 34 appearances while on loan in Belgium, totaling one goal and five assists. The former FC Dallas homegrown defender never truly received a chance in Serie A with AS Roma, but now has a long-term deal with Westerlo under his belt.
Westerlo enjoyed a positive campaign since earning promotion and goals for Reynolds and the club will surely be even higher this season.
Haji Wright, Coventry City
Coventry City’s club-record acquisition of Haji Wright is a statement heading into the new campaign.
Wright led Turkish club Antalyaspor in goals over each of the last two seasons. The USMNT forward already made an impressive debut with the Sky Blues last weekend and should have plenty of opportunities to make an impact going forward.
Viktor Gyokeres’ departure left a major hole in Coventry’s attack, but Wright’s presence should help fill the gap.
George Bello, LASK
George Bello was reportedly linked with a potential move back to MLS this summer, but instead chose to join Austrian Bundesliga side LASK.
The former Atlanta United homegrown suffered back-to-back relegations with Arminia Bielefeld, registering 35 combined appearances in the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga divisions. Bello, 21, mainly featured off the bench last season, but now joins a growing project in LASK, who will be aiming to compete for the league title.
Bello is still fairly young in his European career and a positive start with LASK could be what helps earn him a potential move back to a top-five league down the road.
Duane Holmes, Preston North End
Duane Holmes’ quest to reach the English Premier League did not go so well last season, but a summer move to Preston North End should provide him with a better opportunity to achieve that dream.
Preston finished six points out of the final promotion playoff spot last season, while Holmes’ former club Huddersfield Town escaped relegation. The 28-year-old has plenty of experience in the English Football League Championship and still has a lot to offer a promotion hopeful in terms of goals, assists, and creative chances.
Erik Palmer-Brown, Panathinaikos FC
Erik Palmer-Brown endured a tough season in France with Troyes, but now has a new opportunity to feature in European and domestic competitions.
The former Sporting KC homegrown joined Greek first division club Panathinaikos on Wednesday, signing a long-term contract. Palmer-Brown featured heavily for Troyes over the past two seasons, amassing over 50 appearances and continuing his development abroad.
Panathinaikos is in Europa League qualifying, which will give Palmer-Brown his first taste of the European competition.
Emmanuel Sabbi, Le Havre
Emmanuel Sabbi took key steps forward in his development at Danish side Odense, but now will feature in the toughest league yet of his career.
Sabbi signed a four-year contract with Ligue 1 side Le Havre after making a permanent move to the club on Thursday. A veteran attack with pace and creativity, Sabbi totaled over 20 goals for Odense, with eight of them coming last campaign.
After earning his USMNT debut in January, a positive start to the French season could be what keeps Sabbi in the international picture.
Matt Turner is going to Nottingham Forest.
Horvath is probably heading to the Championship or elsewhere.
Hoppe’s just been loaned to the SJ Earthquakes. Here’s hoping he gets on the field more regularly.
Good move for him. Still Olympic eligible.
Watching Weah tonight for 15 minutes, I think Juve are really going to like him. Regretting I forgot it was on and was accidentally watching STL and Club America. Most of the attack was coming down Wes and Timo’s side. He looked comfortable when he got isolated defending Leao 1v1 as well.
Good moves by Pulisic, Pepi, and Aaronson. Weah on paper looks good but am holding off judgement until I see it in action a bit more.
The Bello move is inconsequential to anyone but himself at this point. His play has gotten worse the last couple years…hence his # of minutes dropping after being relegated to the 2nd Bundesliga…and now falling to the Austrian League. Until his play improves significantly there’s need to report on him.
Holes is another inconsequential player. He’s not good enough to make the B/C Gold Cup squad and there are younger players who’re his equal if not his better.
Bello is at least Olympic eligible
Selfed absorbed per usual! You should start your own channel. YouTube would love you!