Inter Miami trade USA star and former Newcastle right back DeAndre Yedlin to FC Cincinnati for $173k in General Allocation Monday… ending his time as captain of Lionel Messi’s MLS team

Inter Miami has traded USMNT right back DeAndre Yedlin to FC Cincinnati to gain “important roster flexibility, in addition to acquiring $172,799 in General Allocation Money (GAM),” according to the club itself.

The Herons shared the departure of the 30-year-old, ex-Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur full-back on Monday morning on X, formerly Twitter.

Yedlin had signed a four-year contract with Inter Miami in February 2022 with an additional year option, after leaving Galatasaray.

Upon his arrival at the club, former manager Phil Neville described Yedlin as ‘almost a (Designated Player) signing for us, actually, in terms of his quality.’

The native of Seattle, Washington, racked up 82 appearances in the pink kit of Inter Miami. He is now expected to be available for Cincy’s CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16, leg one, Thursday against CF Monterrey.

The 30-year-old former Newcastle and Tottenham star was one of the first stars to sign for the Herons in 2022

“We are pleased to welcome DeAndre and his family to Cincinnati,” said Chris Albright, Cincinnati general manager. “He is a natural leader who will add valuable experience and quality to our group. We are confident he will be an excellent fit for us both on and off the pitch, and we look forward to him joining us.”

Cincinnati becomes Yedlin’s third MLS club of his career after breaking into the league with his hometown Seattle Sounders during the 2013-14 season.

Yedlin will play right back for FC Cincinnati, instead of playing his natural position as right back, according to reports.

The club opened the 2024 season with one win and one draw after winning the Supporters’ Shield for the best regular season record last year.

Yedlin won the Leagues Cup with Inter Miami in Lionel Messi’s first season at the club, as he also captained the Herons in the final

Internationally, Yedlin has 81 caps for the US and played for the Americans in two World Cups (2022 and 2014)

Yedlin has one goal and 15 assists in 121 MLS games for the Sounders and Inter Miami.

“DeAndre has been a leader for us both on and off the field, and we are very grateful for everything he has done for Inter Miami. I have known him since his youth in Seattle, and I am proud to see his success here, including helping the team lift its first trophy,” said Chris Henderson, Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director of Inter Miami, referring to the club’s first piece of silverware. – the Leagues Cup – last season.

“This transaction gives us the flexibility to continue building our roster. Our ambitions remain high and we will look to use the space created by this move to improve our squad as we look to challenge for the titles.”

At international level, Yedlin has made 81 appearances for the USMNT and has featured on the Americans’ past two World Cup teams in 2022 and 2014.