McKenzie’s transfer comes after a standout year during which the rising young defender earned his USMNT debut in February, claimed MLS Best XI honors, and helped the Union lift its first piece of hardware in the 2020 MLS Supporters Shield. A finalist for U.S. Soccer’s Young Male Player of the Year, McKenzie also earned his first international start the 6-0 defeat of El Salvador on Dec. 9 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Originally part of the plans for the U-23 USMNT’s 2021 January camp, McKenzie will join the club straightaway. He transfers to a side which sits second in the Belgian First Division A table, just one point back of league-leading Club Brugge after 19 matches. Genk have won the Belgian league title four times, most recently claiming it during the 2018-19 season.
McKenzie is the third U.S. international currently tied to a Belgian club. Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath has been on the books with Brugge since January 2017, while fellow center back Matt Miazga joined Anderlecht on loan from Chelsea, playing in all but one match since his arrival earlier this season.