Latest news with #JohnnyCardoso
New York Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
USMNT's most expensive transfers, and how Tillman, Johnny fit a recent trend
Even in this worldwide boom of inflation, some of this summer's transfer fees are truly difficult to contextualize at a glance. In the week-plus following the U.S. men's national team's runner-up finish at the Concacaf Gold Cup, two members of Mauricio Pochettino's squad have switched European clubs at an eight-figure valuation. Malik Tillman and Johnny Cardoso have joined Bayer Leverkusen and Atlético Madrid, respectively, for fees combining over $75 million. Tack on Patrick Agyemang leaving Charlotte FC for Derby County this week on an $8 million fee — among the highest returns for a player selected in the MLS SuperDraft — and it's been an opulent summer for players aiming to be on the squad for the 2026 World Cup co-hosts. Advertisement The market wasn't always so warm to USMNT-eligible players. Even into the early 2010s, many Americans were either acquired at a bargain valuation or on free transfers after trial periods. In January 2007, Clint Dempsey broke MLS records when Fulham signed him from the New England Revolution for just $4 million. The program's joint-record scorer (tied with Landon Donovan on 57 goals) again made history in August 2012 when Tottenham brought him across town from Craven Cottage for $9.5 million. Put another way, Dempsey — then a proven Premier League forward who helped Fulham reach a Europa League final — went for as much money as West Brom paid Orlando City for Daryl Dike three years ago. How the transfer market has changed. Some of this was inevitable given the increased finances in soccer. To condense an entire seminar's worth of backstory, most of the sport's history saw ticket sales, prize money and sponsorship agreements serve as the chief driver of revenue for clubs. There was an urgent need to ensure staunch gate receipts, to design shirts that would fly off the shelves and to have a proud host of companies lining the pitch on ad boards. On top of this, success on the field was a self-fulfilling path to retain a strong squad as winnings could be reinvested in higher wages and transfer fee expenditure. The 21st century has seen numerous innovations and advancements in how the sport's power brokers generate revenue, and with far greater returns than the previous paths could offer. It starts with viewers who weren't occupying seats at grounds. Broadcast rights have become league-altering bidding wars for the sport's top circuits, with the rise of streaming platforms only further increasing the options. Major leagues have become more accessible to a global audience, with fans able to foster stronger bonds from abroad with their teams possibly visiting on an occasional preseason tour. Advertisement None of this is under-reported, nor is it unique to soccer. It is, however, undeniably relevant to this surge in player valuations. In the past, the world's highest-caliber of clubs dominated and operated at the richest bracket of the transfer market. In something of a trickle-down economy, they would pluck the top talents from their less wealthy rivals, who could then reinvest those sums in hopes of finding its next wave of stars. The fees weren't astronomical by today's standards: Barcelona bought Ronaldinho from PSG for just under $35 million in 2003 and Thierry Henry from Arsenal for $28 million in 2007, for example. A simple inflation calculator puts those price tags at in $61 million and $43.4 million, respectively, in today's money. These days, clubs like AFC Bournemouth and Leeds United spend over $20 million with increasing regularity. All of which brings us back to Johnny, Tillman and the recent high sums for Americans abroad. Each of the dozen-plus highest fees for U.S. players have come in the past decade and involve players under 25, led by Christian Pulisic's $74.1 million move from Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea in January 2019. All fees in the table below have been directly reported over the years by The Athletic, with the exception of John Brooks' figure being on U.S. Soccer's official website. There is compelling context for these moves beyond teams having more money to spend than they used to. Pulisic's breakout with Borussia Dortmund was a bellringer of the rising standard of young stateside talent. After over six years in FC Dallas' setup, Weston McKennie joined Schalke's academy in 2016 and debuted in the Bundesliga a year later. When Pulisic left for Chelsea, Dortmund already had its next American talent in the wings: Giovanni Reyna, who arrived from New York City FC's academy. Youth movement doesn't garner nearly as significant fees as moves for senior players, but it isn't a surprise that McKennie was involved in a lucrative transfer following years of productivity in Germany. In a trend identified long before the Club World Cup, yet validated this summer, many of Europe's top teams operate more systematically, recruiting with data at the heart of the operation and coaches instructing players from positional play models that give strict responsibility guidance for each member of the squad. Roles have crystalized considerably; player recruitment more closely mirrors the corporate hiring process of a specialist position than it used to, and it's easier to project a tactical fit as a team's utilization of a player is easier to quantify. Advertisement This also helps erase longstanding stigmas tied to the nationality of the player. For every overpayment to obtain any young Brazilian playmaker with a bag of tricks, there were a dozen bargain bin signings from less sexy nations like those in Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia and North America (among other regions). Those biases have gradually been worn away with more clubs have sophisticated scouting operations, but having successes like Pulisic and McKennie only accelerates that process. Atléti wasn't assessing Johnny as 'an American midfielder,' which used to mean he would bust his tail every game but struggled technically; it was signing a player who proved himself in La Liga after Betis vetted his readiness and signed him from Brazil. The changing model of club ownership also plays a role. For generations, most owners were local stewards who saw their club as a local institution, even if it meant some lean years if revenue wasn't sustainable. Now, the sport is its own machine of profit-generation. Americans weren't previously dropping billions to helm Champions League contenders. Multi-club models were a twinkle in the Abu Dhabi royal family's collective eye, and loan deals were dependent on an outside entity wanted to temporarily house a player. Agreements between clubs make those processes easier, meaning more players can be signed and stashed in case they develop to a first-team standard — or can be sold for a profit. Just like Chelsea has Caleb Wiley and Gabriel Slonina on its books now, it took a flier on a 21-year-old Matt Miazga in January 2016. Manchester City has taken chances on Erik Palmer-Brown and Zack Steffen. Bayern Munich has tried matching Dortmund's success in the American market to varying degrees of success via Tillman, Chris Richards and Justin Che. None of this diminishes the major steps being taken by Tillman, Johnny and even Agyemang. Each is testing himself in a different setting, and each will almost certainly be a part of his new club's rotation from jump due to the amount invested by club ownership (though Derby indicated Agyemang's debut would be delayed due to hernia surgery). This list could be reshuffled some by summer's end, too, as more movement for USMNT regulars is reportedly in the offing. Yunus Musah could leave Milan after two difficult years, while Juventus apparently has suitors for both McKennie and Tim Weah. Josh Sargent, meanwhile, may be on the outs from Norwich City after years chasing promotion in vain. This may not yet be the USMNT's 'golden generation' in terms of on-field standard. In terms of the transfer market's valuation of U.S. talent, however, players of this nationality have never been assessed at a higher rate.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
7 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Atletico Madrid signs American midfielder Johnny Cardoso in a 5-year deal
Atletico Madrid continues to boost its squad for next season, signing young American midfielder Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis. The 23-year-old Cardoso arrived on a five-year contract, Atletico said Wednesday. Cardoso was born in the United States but is of Brazilian descent and has an Italian passport, meaning he doesn't occupy a non-European Union slot in Diego Simeone's squad. The holding midfielder played in Brazil until moving to Betis in the 2023-24 season, where he became an important player for Manuel Pellegrini's team. Cardoso made his senior debut for the United States in a match against Wales in 2020. He has 22 caps, winning the CONCACAF Nations League in 2023 and 2024. Cardoso had to withdraw from Mauricio Pochettino's CONCACAF Nations League squad in March due to a muscle injury. Atletico on Tuesday reached an agreement to sign 24-year-old Argentina international Thiago Almada from Brazilian club Botafogo. Red and white family, Johnny has a message for you! — Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) July 16, 2025 It previously had boosted its squad by signing midfielder lex Baena from Villarreal and 22-year-old Italian left back Matteo Ruggeri from Atalanta. Simeone's team finished third in the Spanish league last season, behind Real Madrid and champion Barcelona. It was eliminated in the group stage of the Club World Cup. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
USMNT transfers: Tracking every deal in 2025 summer window
This summer is a particularly important one for U.S. men's national team players at home and abroad. As players jockey for spots on the World Cup roster, the summer transfer window represents a last major opportunity to find a new home in the season leading up to the tournament. For some players, that means a step up to a bigger club or league. For others, its simply about finding a place for the minutes they desperately need to have a chance at the squad. We'll be tracking all of the most significant USMNT transfers this summer right here. Patrick Agyemang: Charlotte FC to Derby County Read more right here. Johnny Cardoso: Real Betis to Atletico Madrid Read more right here. Damion Downs: FC Koln to Southampton Read more right here. Malik Tillman: PSV to Bayer Leverkusen Read more right here.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Atletico Madrid signs American midfielder Johnny Cardoso
Atletico Madrid continues to boost its squad for next season, signing young American midfielder Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis. The 23-year-old Cardoso arrived on a five-year contract, Atletico said Wednesday. Cardoso was born in the United States but is of Brazilian descent and has an Italian passport, meaning he doesn't occupy a non-European Union slot in Diego Simeone's squad. The holding midfielder played in Brazil until moving to Betis in the 2023-24 season, where he became an important player for Manuel Pellegrini's team. Cardoso made his senior debut for the United States in a match against Wales in 2020. He has 22 caps, winning the CONCACAF Nations League in 2023 and 2024. ALSO READ | Real Madrid's Bellingham set to miss 12 weeks after shoulder surgery Cardoso had to withdraw from Mauricio Pochettino's CONCACAF Nations League squad in March due to a muscle injury. Atletico on Tuesday reached an agreement to sign 24-year-old Argentina international Thiago Almada from Brazilian club Botafogo. It previously had boosted its squad by signing midfielder Álex Baena from Villarreal and 22-year-old Italian left-back Matteo Ruggeri from Atalanta. Simeone's team finished third in the Spanish league last season, behind Real Madrid and champion Barcelona. It was eliminated in the group stage of the Club World Cup.
Fox Sports
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
USA Midfielder Johnny Cardoso Joins Atletico Madrid on Five-Year Deal
Atletico Madrid continues to boost its squad for next season, signing young United States men's national midfielder Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis. The 23-year-old Cardoso arrived on a five-year contract, Atletico said Wednesday. Cardoso was born in the United States but is of Brazilian descent and has an Italian passport, meaning he doesn't occupy a non-European Union slot in Diego Simeone's squad. The holding midfielder played in Brazil until moving to Betis in the 2023-24 season, where he became an important player for Manuel Pellegrini's team. Cardoso made his senior debut for the United States in a match against Wales in 2020. He has 22 caps, winning the CONCACAF Nations League in 2023 and 2024. Cardoso had to withdraw from Mauricio Pochettino's CONCACAF Nations League squad in March due to a muscle injury. Atletico on Tuesday reached an agreement to sign 24-year-old Argentina international Thiago Almada from Brazilian club Botafogo. It previously had boosted its squad by signing midfielder Alex Baena from Villarreal and 22-year-old Italian left back Matteo Ruggeri from Atalanta. Simeone's team finished third in the Spanish league last season, behind Real Madrid and champions Barcelona. Atletico was eliminated in the group stage of the Club World Cup. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Item 1 of 1 Get more from the United States Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
