Top 10 Best American Players In Europe (2025)

This is the list of the top 10 best American soccer players that are currently playing in Europe.

America has produced some of the finest players in Europe from Pulisic to Reyna, they’ve got lots of amazing players with great potential.

Without saying too much, Here are the top ten best American soccer players currently playing in Europe;

• Brenden Aaronson
• Timothy Chandler
• Tyler Adams
• Sergiño Dest
• Matthew Hoppe
• Weston McKennie
• Chris Richards
• Johnny Cardoso
• Giovanni Reyna
• Christian Pulisic

10. Brenden Aaronson – Leeds United

Brenden Aaronson is currently one of the best American soccer players in Europe.

Having joined Leeds United in 2022 for a reported £24.7 million, the attacking midfielder scored his first Premier League goal in a historic win over Chelsea.

Following Leeds’ relegation, Aaronson spent a season on loan at Union Berlin in the Bundesliga before returning to England in 2024.

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9. Timothy Chandler – Eintracht Frankfurt

Timothy Chandler is a United States professional soccer player who currently plays for the Bundesliga team Eintracht Frankfurt. He was born on March 29, 1990.

He was born in Frankfurt, West  Germany, to a German mother and an African American father who was a member of the U.S. military.

Chandler was selected by Bob Bradley in March 2011 to be part of the 24-man United States team that would play an international friendly against Paraguay and Argentina. On March 26, 2011, Chandler made his U.S. debut against Argentina, playing the whole second half of the 1-1 tie.

Timothy Chandler turned down Jürgen Klinsmann’s invitation to join his training camp on May 16, 2012, in preparation for forthcoming friendlies and 2014 World Cup Qualifiers.

When Klinsmann brought back Chandler as one of the 30-man team in advance of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, it was 15 months until Chandler made his American debut. On May 22, 2014, he was selected for the 23-man final team for the Brazil finals.

Chandler saw no game participation despite being included on the final team that traveled to Brazil. For the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Chandler received a second call-up and began the match against Honduras right back.

8. Tyler Adams – Bournemouth

Tyler Adams is regarded as one of the most dependable American midfielders currently playing in Europe.

Adams made headlines at RB Leipzig when he delivered the knockout blow to Atlético Madrid in the 2020 Champions League quarterfinals.

In August 2023, Adams joined Bournemouth on a five-year deal from Leeds United.

By February 2025, he was named Bournemouth’s Player of the Month.

7. Sergiño Dest – PSV

Sergiño Dest has built an impressive career in Europe. In October 2020, he joined Barcelona from Ajax for €21 million, becoming the first American to ever play for the club in La Liga.

Soon after, he also became the first U.S. player to appear in both the Champions League and the famous El Clásico.

Dest made history again when he scored for Barcelona against Dynamo Kyiv, the first American goal for the Spanish giants.

He later added two more goals in a big win over Real Sociedad.

In September 2022, Dest went on loan to AC Milan, making his Serie A debut against Napoli.

A year later, he moved to the Netherlands, signing with PSV on loan in August 2023.

Despite an ACL injury in April 2024, Dest was instrumental in PSV’s Eredivisie title win.

By June 2024, he completed a permanent transfer to the club.

6. Matthew Hoppe – Sønderjyske

Matthew Hoppe is one of the top young American players currently in Europe, now playing for Sønderjyske in Denmark’s Superliga.

His career began in the LA Galaxy academy, but after being released, he joined the Barça Residency Academy in Arizona before moving to Germany with Schalke 04 in 2019.

Hoppe made his Bundesliga debut in November 2020 and made headlines, scoring a hat-trick against Hoffenheim in January 2021, becoming the first American ever to achieve that in the league.

After leaving Schalke, Hoppe signed for Mallorca in Spain, though injuries and illness limited his impact.

He later joined Middlesbrough in England and spent time on loan with Hibernian in Scotland and San Jose Earthquakes in MLS.

In January 2025, his contract with Middlesbrough was ended by mutual agreement.

Shortly after, he secured a move to Sønderjyske, signing a deal that runs until June 2027.

5. Weston McKennie – Loan to Leeds United

Weston McKennie has become one of the most successful American players in Europe.

In 2020, he joined Juventus from Schalke on an initial loan, making history as the club’s first U.S. player.

His performances impressed, leading to a permanent deal. McKennie scored in big matches, including against Barcelona in the Champions League and AC Milan in Serie A.

In January 2023, he moved on loan to Leeds United in the Premier League, where he played regularly, though the club was relegated.

Returning to Juventus, McKennie reestablished himself as a key midfielder. He became known for his assists, creativity, and work rate, helping Juventus win the Coppa Italia again in 2024.

Later that year, he extended his contract until 2026.

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4.  – Crystal Palace

Chris Richards has become one of the standout American defenders in Europe.

After a loan spell at Hoffenheim in 2021, he made a permanent move from Bayern Munich to Crystal Palace in July 2022 for around €12 million.

His first season in England was quiet, but he broke into the team more regularly in 2023–24, first filling in as a midfielder before settling back into his natural center-back role.

In February 2024, he scored his first Palace goal in a 3–0 win over Burnley.

Though he briefly lost his spot at the start of 2024–25, Richards regained it after Trevoh Chalobah returned to Chelsea.

He went on to play a key role in Palace’s historic FA Cup run, helping them beat Manchester City 1–0 in the final.

Richards became only the second American ever to win the FA Cup.

3. Johnny Cardoso – Atlético Madrid

Johnny Cardoso is one of the brightest American players currently playing in Europe.

In late 2023, he signed with Real Betis in Spain’s La Liga on a five-year deal. He made his debut the following January against Barcelona, playing over 70 minutes in a tough 4–2 loss.

His performances earned him recognition, and by early 2025, Betis extended his contract until 2030.

However, only months later, Atlético Madrid expressed interest in him.

In July 2025, the Spanish giants secured his move for around €30 million, giving him a five-year contract.

2. – Borussia Mönchengladbach

 

Giovanni Reyna is one of the brightest American soccer players in Europe. He first broke through at Borussia Dortmund in 2020, becoming the youngest American to play in the Bundesliga at just 17 years old.

Soon after, he scored in the German Cup, becoming the youngest player ever to do so, and later provided a famous Champions League assist for Erling Haaland against PSG.

Over the next few seasons, Reyna battled injuries that limited his playing time.

Despite setbacks, he produced big moments, including back-to-back match-winning goals in 2023.

He also became the youngest American to appear in a domestic cup final in Europe.

After a short loan at Nottingham Forest, Reyna struggled for minutes at Dortmund.

In August 2025, he joined Borussia Mönchengladbach on a permanent deal, hoping for a fresh start and more consistent playing time in the Bundesliga.

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1. Christian Pulisic – AC Milan

Christian Pulisic is one of the biggest American stars in Europe today.

He first made headlines in 2019 when Chelsea signed him from Borussia Dortmund for £58 million, making him the most expensive U.S. player at the time.

At Chelsea, he became a fan favorite, scoring a perfect hat-trick against Burnley and later helping the club win the 2021 Champions League.

In 2023, Pulisic moved to AC Milan, where he found his best form. He scored on his Serie A debut and went on to break records for the most goals by an American in Italy.

By the end of his first season, he had 15 goals and 10 assists, earning a spot in the Serie A Team of the Season.

In 2024–25, he became Milan’s top scorer with 17 goals and won the Supercoppa Italiana.