London Calling: Pulisic Seals Record Transfer to Chelsea
Set to join Chelsea in the summer, Christian Pulisic's $73 million transfer to the EPL side sets to new record for a U.S. international.
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London’s calling for Christian Pulisic. On Wednesday, the 20-year-old U.S. Men’s National Team attacker put pen to paper confirming a high-profile transfer to English Premier League club Chelsea. The transfer figure of $73 million smashes the record for a U.S. international, bypassing the $22 million paid for John Brooks in his 2017 transfer from Hertha Berlin to Wolfsburg.
As part of the deal, Pulisic has been immediately loaned back to Borussia Dortmund for the remainder of the season as the club aims to stay on top of the Bundesliga and goes for more glory in the UEFA Champions League and DFB Pokal.
“I would not be where I am today without the club and their believe in giving young players a chance,” Pulisic said of Dortmund, where he signed as a 16-year-old in 2015. “It’s been an honor and a dream to pull on the black-and-yellow in front of the Südtribüne [Borussia Dortmund’s famous “Yellow Wall” of fans].”
Liebe Borussen 🖤💛 (🇺🇸🇬🇧) pic.twitter.com/nAKgF1sHdI
— Christian Pulisic (@cpulisic_10) January 2, 2019
“This move is a result of hard work and determination on Christian’s part to pursue his career goals, and is a new level of transfer value for a U.S. international," U.S. MNT head coach Gregg Berhalter said of the move. "Overall, his commitment to achieving excellence is an example for other young American players to follow.”
Pulisic has collected 115 appearances for BVB across all competitions, registering 14 goals and 18 assists and a host of “youngest player records” along the way. He became just the second U.S. international to win the DFB-Pokal in 2017, memorably earning what would stand as the game-winning penalty kick in Dortmund’s 2-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt.
His path to Dortmund and success in Germany was detailed in ussoccer.com's original video series, RISING: Emerging Faces of the U.S. Men's National Team.
For the U.S. Men’s National Team, Pulisic has recorded nine goals and six assists in 23 appearances. Last year he became the youngest player to captain the MNT in a match, wearing the armband at 20 years, 71 days in the team’s 1-0 defeat to Italy on Nov. 20 in Genk, Belgium.
Upon his arrival to Stamford Bridge this summer, Pulisic will become the third U.S. international to sign for the Blues, following Roy Wegerle and Matt Miazga.