The final days of the European transfer window are here, and several Americans have made their moves for the upcoming season, with several more potentially set to pack their bags in the coming days. Most notably, former USMNT defender John Brooks has returned home to Berlin, to help his hometown club Hertha fight for promotion.
With the majority of the major leagues in Europe closing their transfer business for the remainder of 2024 on Friday night – one day earlier than the usual deadline of August 31 – the days leading up to the final moments have seen several Americans make their move.
Tanner Tessmann’s summer-long transfer saga was finally resolved on Tuesday, with the former Serie B standout joining French club Olympique Lyonnais. In addition to their domestic duties, Lyon will compete in the Europa League this season, and will find out their eight opponents for the League Phase on Friday afternoon.
One player who was not constrained by the window was John Brooks, who was a free agent after leaving Hoffenheim following last season. The (so far) 45-times capped USMNT defender re-joined his hometown club Hertha on Thursday on a two-season contract, officially opening a new, yet familiar, chapter after what have been a couple of disappointing seasons.
Brooks left Hertha for VfL Wolfsburg in the summer 2017 transfer window for a reported €20 million. After five seasons plagued with regular injury setbacks, the Berlin-born central defender spend a half-season at Portuguese giants Benfica picking up a paycheck and little more, then the next 18 months back in Germany at Hoffenheim, where diminishing returns saw him depart following last season.
He reunites with the club where he originally made his name as one of Germany’s most promising defenders, and will likely play a major role as the team targets promotion after being relegated during the 2022-23 season. The 31 year-old’s debut season with club in 2012-13 also saw them gain promotion from the 2. Bundesliga to Germany’s top flight.
Elsewhere, 20 year-old midfielder and US youth international Zach Booth has returned to the Netherlands after a productive loan in the country last season, joining Excelsior Rotterdam on a permanent move from England’s Leicester City.
The younger brother of Taylor Booth, who plays in the Dutch top flight with Utrecht, spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Volendam, however has now linked up with the current-second-tier yo-yo club Excelsior on a three-year contract.
After having been a major contributor to Volendam last season, who were also relegated to the Eerste Divisie alongside Excelsior, Booth should immediately become a key piece in the lineup of the promotion favorites.
Staying within the Dutch second tier, New York-born midfielder Gedion Zelalem has parted ways with Eerste Divisie club FC Den Bosch, after falling out of the team’s plans in the new season. This frees the former Arsenal youth player to find a new home even after the close of the window.
Despite playing 26 times for the team last season and being one of their better performers when he was on the field, he did not fit into the plans of new head coach David Nascimento, and will be searching for a new home.
Heading to the Iberian peninsula, United States U-20 regular Pedro Soma has made his long-expected step up the Spanish pyramid in eye-popping fashion, having joined the FC Barcelona organization on a one-year loan from fourth-tier club UE Cornellà.
The Florida-born, 18 year-old had gradually broken into the first team of the Catalonian club after coming through their youth sytstem for the last few years, however after their relegation from the third division last season, a move was inevitable.
The club announced through their social media channels that he had extended his contract with the team, but would be departing to the FC Barcelona youth academy for a one-season loan. Presumably, he will be playing with Barcelona’s main reserve team, FC Barcelona Atlètic, which competes in the Spanish third tier.
Soma has been a major contributor on several levels for the US youth setup, most recently starting five games for the U-20 side in their run to second place in the recently completed CONCACAF Championship tournament.
Also of note, is the move of Texas-born Jonathan Gomez to reigning Greek Champions PAOK Thessaloniki several days ago. Gomez joined Spanish team Real Sociedad in early-2022 and bounced between their reserve team and a loan with second division club Mirandés in the time since, but permanently joined PAOK on a three-year deal on August 23.
The team confirmed their place in the League Phase of the 2024-25 Europa League with a thumping 6-0 aggregate win over Shamrock Rovers, and will find out their eight upcoming opponents with Friday’s draw. While Gomez was not eligible for Thursday’s second leg in Dublin, he will certainly figure into their plans with three competitions to navigate.
With less than 24 hours remaining for most clubs to complete their transfer business, several more moves for Americans are either rumored or expected before the window slams shut Friday night. Most notably, Hajduk Split midfielder Rokas Pukstas is rumored to be a target for promoted Italian club Parma, and Sheffield United’s Austin Trusty is expected to join fellow American Cameron Carter-Vickers in the central defense of Scottish giants Celtic.
Several other players, including USMNT regulars Matt Turner and Luca de la Torre, are out of the plans of their respective clubs and eventually headed for the exit, but a general decrease in transfer activity across Europe could see them forced to wait until MLS clubs can start splashing large amounts of cash in the winter.
