USMNT: Top 10 most expensive transfers of all-time

Every year new records are broken. Americans are getting paid like never before. To see where we stand in 2020, here are the top 10 most expensive transfers in USMNT history.

We’re in a new era for the U.S. Men’s National Team. There are more Americans playing abroad than ever before. Young Americans are getting more minutes and more opportunities to prove themselves in places few Americans have been. The change in the tide is reflected in the most recent top USMNT transfers. When looking at the list, you see that nearly all of those transfers came in the last decade, most of them in the last few years. This speaks to the current trend that is happening in American soccer. Players are branching out like never before. You can find young Americans producing and earning minutes all across Europe. If players continue to perform for their respective clubs, there will be a lot of green in the USMNTs’ future.

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But before we get to collect the large sums we hope to one-day reap, let’s take a look at the ones before us who got us there.

10. Jozy Altidore – Villarreal – $7.07 million

Coming in at number ten is an 18-year-old Jozy Altidore. Altidore was sold from the New York Red Bulls to Villarreal for a fee of $7.07 million in 2008. The striker was a big prospect for the USMNT at the time. Originally drafted by the Red Bulls, he became the youngest player to score in Major League Soccer as well as the youngest player to start a playoff game.

However, he struggled to make his mark at Villarreal and would go on a series of loan spells before being sold in 2011. He only made 23 appearances for Villarreal and scored three goals. He will, however, appear on this list again.

9. Claudio Reyna – Sunderland – $7.3 million

Sitting peacefully at number nine is Claudio Reyna. Reyna has been high on this list for quite some time now and remains the oldest transfer in the top 10. Reyna was sold from Rangers to Sunderland for $7.3 million in 2002. His time at Sunderland was short-lived as he battled numerous injuries that kept him on the sidelines. He would later be sold to Manchester City in 2003.

8. Clint Dempsey – Sounders – $7.4 million

Our number eight is USMNT legend, Clint Dempsey. Dempsey was sold from Tottenham Hotspur to the Seattle Sounders for $7.4 million in 2013. This would see Dempsey end his great playing time in Europe and return to the States. Dempsey proved he could do it on the biggest stage and wanted to return to the U.S. to show that to the Americans that always supported him.

He would go on to have a very successful four years in Seattle, making 136 appearances, handing out 25 assists, and scoring 57 goals. Unfortunately, serious heart complications kept him out of the Sounders 2016 MLS Cup run before he officially retired in 2018.

7. Zack Steffen – Manchester City – $7.45 million

At number seven is the new face of the USMNT goalkeeper position. Zack Steffen was sold from the Columbus Crew to Manchester City for $7.45 million in 2019. Steffen was quickly loaned out to Bundesliga club Düsseldorf where he was performing well and getting regular minutes until COVID-19 halted the season. Steffen will look to pick back up where we left off when the Bundesliga resumes.

6. Michael Bradley – Toronto FC – $8.05 million

Coming in at number six is the longtime midfielder and captain Michael Bradley. Bradley was sold from Roma to Toronto FC for $8.05 million in 2014. This would grow to be a great signing for the club, sending one of the most capped Americans back to MLS as a designated player. Bradley would go on to captain Toronto FC and lead them to their first-ever Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup. They also completed the domestic treble, winning the Supporters’ Shield, MLS Cup, and the Canadian Championship.

5. Clint Dempsey – Tottenham Hotspurs – $8.15 million

Making his appearance on this list once again is the fearless leader and USMNT great Clint Dempsey. This was a then-record high for an American, he was sold from Fulham to Tottenham Hotspur for $8.15 million in 2012. He would only stay for one season before getting sold to the Sounders. In that time he made 43 appearances and scored 12 goals.

4. Tim Weah – Lille – $10 million

At number four on our list is an intriguing American youngster. Son of former Ballon d’Or winner and current President of Liberia George Weah, Tim Weah was sold from PSG to Lille for $10 million in 2019. The 20-year-old has shown tons of promise and potential but has constantly been hampered by injuries. After making his long-awaited return from injury in February 2020 he immediately sustained another serious injury ending his season. With that $10 million price tag on his head, Weah has a lot to prove and will be extremely eager to show what he can do when he gets back on the field.

3. Jozy Altidore – Sunderland –  $11 million

Back again at number three is the longtime striker Jozy Altidore. Jozy was sold in 2013 from AZ Alkmaar to Sunderland for $11 million.  But his return to the premier league would prove to be an unfortunate endeavor. Altidore was never able to find his footing and would be sold two years later to Toronto. During his time at Sunderland, he made 52 appearances and scored only 3 goals.

2. John Brooks – Wolfsburg – $18.5 million

The second-highest American transfer belongs to center-back John Brooks. Sold from Hertha BSC to Vfl Wolfsburg in 2017 for $18.5 million. Brooks has been the obvious number one center-back in the US player pool for the past couple of years, but he struggles with staying on the field. Brook’s injury history has taken a major toll on his playing time with his club and his country. In his three seasons with Wolfsburg, he has made only 43 appearances. Brooks was healthy when COVID-19 ended his season, when he gets back on the field he’ll be looking to prove that he’s still the best center-back in the player pool.

1. Christian Pulisic – Chelsea FC – $70 million

At number one on our list, claiming the title of the most expensive American ever, the wonderboy himself, Christian Pulisic. Pulisic was sold from Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea FC in 2019 for a staggering $70 million. This shattered the previous record set by John Brooks and cemented himself as the future of the USMNT. In his short time at Chelsea, Pulsic has shown his massive potential and the quality that he possesses.

At only 21-years-old Pulisic has a lot of years left ahead to grow and develop and become the dominant force he can be. In his 23 appearances for Chelsea, he’s delivered six assists and scored six goals.