OFFICIAL: Sergiño Dest joins PSV on loan

Another American joins PSV under Earnie Stewart.

Barcelona and USMNT right back Sergiño Dest has joined Dutch giants PSV on a season-long loan with a $11M option to buy.

Dest, 22, returns to the Eredivisie, where he began his career with Ajax. The Netherlands-born American international broke through during the 19/20 campaign, making 35 appearances as his profile grew around Europe. After just one full season of first-team minutes, Barcelona snapped up the defender for nearly $23M.

Dest arrived in Catalonia with high expectations and Dani Alves comparisons but he could never settle. Under Xavi, Dest was repurposed sometimes as a right winger with the Spanish legend never trusting the right back’s defensive abilities. In total, Dest made 72 appearances for Barcelona between 2020 and 2022.

Last season, Dest spent the year on loan with AC Milan, where he experienced similar struggles to his ones in Spain. Game time was scarce as Dest only made 14 appearances all season as he failed to impress Stefano Pioli.

Upon his return to Barcelona, Xavi made it clear to the board that he had no plans for Dest. With this decision, it was clear the best move for both sides would be a clean split.

Despite his struggles at club level over the last few seasons, Dest has remained a pivotal figure for the USMNT remaining the number one option at right back and making 23 appearances since his ill-fated move to Barcelona.

Now back in the Eredivisie, a league he once excelled in, Dest has a chance to resurrect his still young and promising career.

By joining PSV, Dest will be the third American in this window to arrive following Ricardo Pepi and Malik Tillman. The three may just be the first wave of Americans recruited by current PSV Technical Director and former USSF Sporting Director Earnie Stewart. With Stewart in charge, keep an eye on other American links to Eindhoven.