The fact that the United States is still a minor player in world soccer does not accurately represent the situation. Neither would promoting them to the rank of a significant, powerful country. There are, however, intermediates.
The US has been a growing footballing nation, and in recent years, the collective and individual performances of US players and teams have solidified and validated America as a soccer nation.
If you were to choose one of the most obvious indicators of this trend, it would be the growing number of American soccer players who are now living overseas.
The ranking of the ten most costly US talent transfers ever tends to reflect that, at least.
| 10 Most Expensive USA Players in Football History | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Player | From | To | Transfer Fee ($) | Year |
| 1. | Christian Pulisic | Borussia Dortmund | Chelsea | 72.8m | 2019 |
| 2. | Brenden Aaronson | Red Bull Salzburg | Leeds United | 37.3m | 2022 |
| 3. | Folarin Balogun | Arsenal | AS Monaco | 34.1m | 2023 |
| 4. | Tyler Adams | Leeds United | Bournemouth | 30.6m | 2023 |
| 5. | Weston McKennie | Schalke 04 | Juventus | 24.9m | 2021 |
| 6. | Yunus Mensah | Valencia | AC Milan | 24.1m | 2023 |
| 7. | Sergino Dest | Ajax | Barcelona | 23.8m | 2020 |
| 8. | Christian Pulisic | Chelsea | AC Milan | 23.6m | 2023 |
| 9. | Tyler Adams | RB Leipzig | Leeds United | 19.3m | 2022 |
| 10. | John Brooks | Hertha Berlin | VfL Wolfsburg | 19.3m | 2017 |
10
John Brooks — $19.3 million
Hertha Berlin to VfL Wolfsburg (2017)
If you have any doubts that the value of Americans has not always been as high as it could be today, John Brooks’ example should convince you otherwise. In 2017, when he left his hometown club Hertha Berlin for Wolfsburg, the Old Lady’s management agreed to part ways with the 24-year-old centre-back for ‘only’ $19.3 million.
Simply put, it was a historic transaction, for both the player, who became the most expensive American of all time, and the Berliners, who made the largest sale in their history. A win-win scenario.
9
Tyler Adams — $19.3 million
RB Leipzig to Leeds United (2022)
Tyler Adams, a Red Bull athlete, began his professional career with his New York annex before making the long journey to Europe to join Leipzig and reunite with his former coach Jesse Marsch.
The natural continuation of a promising start to his career, highlighted by his first caps for the USMNT, which would lead to the American midfielder joining Leeds United in 2022 and discovering the prestigious Premier League. All of this in a deal worth around $19.3 million, with the onerous responsibility of succeeding local icon Kalvin Phillips, who recently left for Manchester City.
8
Christian Pulisic — $23.6 million
Chelsea to AC Milan (2023)
Every footballer — Regardless of how talented he is, he must make decisions throughout his career. A decision-making process that, whether good or bad, will have irreversible consequences. Christian Pulisic, one of the USMNT’s top goalscorers in history, will not regret his decision to leave Chelsea for AC Milan in summer 2023.
In Italy, the American forward has rediscovered his core qualities, as well as a significant amount of playing time. After becoming a regular in the Rossoneri lineup, the USMNT captain has established himself as one of the team’s statistical leaders. So much so that he was regarded as one of Serie A’s top recruits at the end of the 2023/24 season.
7
Sergino Dest — $23.8 million
Ajax to Barcelona (2020)
Sergino Dest may not have expected to stay with Ajax for so long when he first joined the professional team. However, FC Barcelona’s offer of $23.8 million to the Amsterdam club after the young full-back had only played about 40 games for the club changed his destiny completely. For better and worse.
While he has had some memorable moments and contributed a few lines to the history of American soccer in the Catalan capital, the native of Almere, Netherlands, has struggled to establish himself as an undisputed first-choice player. To the point of going on loan to AC Milan and then PSV.
6
Yunus Musah — $24.1 million
Valencia to AC Milan (2023)
Despite his youth, Yunus Musah is a player with extensive experience. Born in the United States while his Ghanaian parents were on vacation, the midfielder has since traveled to all four corners of Europe, from Italy to Spain and England.
He graduated from Arsenal’s academy but made his professional debut at Iberian club Valencia. During his three years there, Musah rose in stature and made a name for himself in the eyes of the big clubs, including AC Milan, who were looking for midfield reinforcements and were willing to spend more than $24.1 million to bring him to Lombardy.
5
Weston McKennie — $24.9 million
Schalke 04 to Juventus (2021)
When we discussed choices earlier, Weston McKennie’s decision not to follow in the footsteps of Kellyn Acosta or Victor Ulloa was a bold one. When the midfielder refused to sign his first professional contract with FC Dallas in favor of joining Schalke 04 in Germany, he was embarking on an unknown journey. However, to believe that he would never see the end of it was to misunderstand him.
His impact and consistent presence on the Miners squad are only the most visible examples of this. A breakthrough in European football that has caught the attention of Juventus, who have done everything they can to bring him to Turin and make him the club’s first American player.
4
Tyler Adams — $30.6 million
From Leeds United to Bournemouth (2023)
Adams is one of only two American players included in this ranking. Indeed, while his move from Leipzig to Leeds United opened up new opportunities for him, the one he was involved in when he joined Bournemouth allowed him to participate for the second time.
An operation estimated to cost around $30.6 million, which was undoubtedly triggered by the Peacocks’ relegation to the Championship at the end of the 2022–23 season. A blessing in disguise for the midfielder, who, after a first season marred by major injuries, used the 2024-25 exercise to finally find some playing time and consistency.
3
Folarin Balogun — $34.1 million
Arsenal to AS Monaco (2023)
Sometimes you have to leave the nest to fly. Consider the case of Folarin Balogun. The striker was trained and thrown into the deep end of the professional game at Arsenal, but he never made an impact. Alternatively, he could impose himself entirely. And, while his playing time increased after his loan move to Middlesbrough, none of his experiences were more conclusive than his stint with Reims.
Balogun’s breakthrough came in Ligue 1, where he also spent a season on loan. So much so that he persuaded AS Monaco to offer Arsenal $34.1 million at the end of the 2022-23 season, during which he scored 21 league goals.
2
Brenden Aaronson — $37.3 million
Red Bull Salzburg to Leeds United (2022)
Brenden Aaronson’s career has gotten off to a flying start, with stops in the USA and the Champions League. The forward is clearly a talented player. Everyone can attest to this. In particular, he briefly met Marsch at Red Bull Salzburg and was persuaded to join him at Leeds United when the American coach was appointed manager in 2022.
The Austrian club’s $37.3 million asking price for its golden boy was insufficient to meet the challenge. All of this brings to mind the previously mentioned story of Adams, whose fate was linked to that of the American coach.
1
Christian Pulisic — $72.8 million
Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea (2019)
Pulisic was still a young player when Chelsea decided to make him the most expensive American in history. A record set in 2019, when the twirling forward was shining for German club Borussia Dortmund.
While some may argue — and rightfully so — that the return on investment fell short of what the Blues’ directors had every right to expect, the more optimistic will point to the accomplishments of the man who is still regarded as one of the greatest American players in Premier League history. After all, we’re talking about the Champions League winner here.
