USMNT star completes mid-MLS season transfer to Championship after ‘falling in love with the club’
· Yahoo Sports
Following a series of impressive performances for the U.S. Men’s National Team under Mauricio Pochettino, whilst also catching the eye during the Vancouver Whitecaps’ run to the MLS Cup Final last season, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter has moved to the U.K.
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The 25-year-old, who was actually born in London while his dad, and current Chicago Fire boss, Gregg, played for Crystal Palace, has signed a four-year deal with EFL Championship side Middlesbrough.
With his Whitecaps contract set to expire after this season, Kim Hellberg’s side was able to acquire the two-time MLS All-Star for just $2 million, as per MLSSoccer.com. Berhalter will now have the opportunity to line up alongside longtime friend and USMNT teammate Aidan Morris, a two-time MLS Cup winner with the Columbus Crew.
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Berhalter told club media that “It feels great to be here,” adding, “I’ve been watching the club closely over the last two years because of Aidan, and I kind of fell in love with the club, especially over the last year with the way they play and the way they fight.
“This is where I want to be. I want to keep getting better as a player and person, and this is a great place to do it.”
The 18-time international joins the Premier League promotion hopefuls off the back of an impressive World Cup, during which he appeared in all five of the USMNT’s games, including their Round of 16 exit at the hands of Belgium.
“The World Cup was an incredible experience,” he explained. “It didn’t end the way we wanted to, but to see the American support that was there was really special and I’m really glad to have been a part of it.
“It’s growing in the U.S., and to see that much support and that many people supporting, it was a dream. It’s given me even more hunger now and this is an amazing place for me to be.”
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Berhalter will be a tough player to replace in Vancouver, where he had made 167 appearances, scoring 20 goals and providing 26 assists across all competitions since joining from the Crew in February 2022.
This season, prior to the World Cup break, Berhalter had played in 18 games for Jesper Sørensen’s side, racking up seven goals and four assists. In the two games since the MLS returned to action, Vancouver lost 4-3 against FC Cincinnati and drew 0-0 with Minnesota United.
Addressing his now former club upon his exit, Berhalter said, “I am so thankful to all the fans, staff, coaches, management, and my teammates.
“I've called this place home for the last four and a half years, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. The memories and the relationships I've built here will last a lifetime and seeing how much this club has grown makes me so proud.
“I'm incredibly grateful that this club took me in as a boy and helped me grow into a young man. I'll be a Whitecap forever. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything.”