Players from United Soccer League (USL) in Germany!
Over the years I transferred many dozen of players from Major League Soccer, United Soccer League (USL) or Canadian Premier League to Germany. In DFB we have the three federal pro leagues: Bundesliga 1, 2 and 3. Liga (~56 teams) and five leagues in 4th tier/division Regionalliga Südwest, West, Nord, North-East and Bavaria (~90 teams). Within all of those levels from Bundesliga down to Regionalliga (most U23/21 teams of the top teams play there) I signed and/or transferred many North American players. If a player or club approaches me about a move to Germany we do our research about the player and then (like it or not 😉) tell them our honest opinion. Important for a successful career or transfer is to find the right environment for the player. With environment I mean the level, the setup of the club, the team, the technical staff, our experience with the interested clubs, the mind set of the player, his goals, the goals of the club, the chances/opportunities, etc. etc.etc… A lot of people in pro soccer not really knowing the German pro market react to our assessments with something like this: „…but he/I can play on a higher level…“. We then explain how important a (good/impressive) start is for any international coming first time to Germany and especially if the plan of the player or „selling“ club in North America is a longer career/higher „revenue“ (i.e. participation on future transfers, etc.) in the UEFA /DFB pro world. A lot of clubs / players just focus on getting to Europe, making a/any transfer fee, etc. but do not see the opportunities, risks, downsides, etc. if a wrong /risky decision is made. The publishing /articles of clubs making a transfer (fee) to Europe is often euphoric when it happens and we understand that, but don’t forget about year two, three, four, etc. We established a data base about United Soccer League (USL), Major League Soccer or Canadian Premier League Players who signed or got transferred to Germany to see if and how their career progressed. I am sure pro leagues or clubs in North America also track their transfers/“sales” to Europe to see if they made the right decision, worked with the right people, clubs, etc. and what could have been better and (!) how their / his decision influenced the career of their/the player….
To round up my small post (“Players from United Soccer League (USL) in Germany!”) I just read an article about the German club Greifswalder FC (Toni Kroos & Felix Kroos started their career at this club) and I happend to sign two players from United Soccer League (USL) with Greifswalder FC and David Wagner and Lars Fuchs.
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