TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: transfer
Dallas FC has transferred homegrown right-back Bryan Reynolds to AS Roma for a record fee, the club announced on Monday. The deal is a loan with a commitment to make the transfer permanent this summer.
19-year-old Reynolds signed a homegrown deal with Dallas ahead of the 2017 season and made his MLS debut in 2019. He started 14 regular season games for the club in 2020 and was appointed to the US Under-23 national team camp for this month. He was regularly capped at various levels of the youth national team.
“We couldn’t be happier for Bryan and his family,” said Dallas FC president Dan Hunt in a club statement. “Bryan is a real testament to the academy process. From playing in the fields in Fort Worth as a kid to competing professionally in Frisco and now in Italy, he’s inspired a generation of North Texas soccer players with the idea of what’s possible one way at FC Dallas. “
Reynolds was an instant revelation for Dallas after Reggie Cannon was transferred to Boavista in September. He seamlessly entered his new position and caught the attention of the largest European clubs. He is being lauded for his athletic prowess and attacking performance after playing as a winger his entire youth career.
“I love this game so much and I look forward to my future,” said Reynolds. “I grew up at FC Dallas and I wouldn’t be where I am if I didn’t have the opportunity to work with the club. I will fight and give everything to the Roma like I did here. I want to thank the fans and FC Dallas for their support. I’m just super excited about my future and will learn Italian as soon as possible. “
Roma won the Reynolds race and fought off interest from Juventus, Club Brugge, AC Milan and many others. Roma are currently in third place in Serie A and host stars such as Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, among others. You are also currently in the second round of the Europa League.
If Reynolds makes his debut for the club, he will be only the second American to play for Roma after Michael Bradley.
“We are always very proud when there is interest in our players from one of the largest clubs in Europe,” said André Zanotta, Technical Director of FC Dallas. “Bryan had a great season with us after waiting patiently for his chance. We had high expectations and he exceeded them all. At his age, with all his physical, technical and tactical skills, we knew he was going to attract the attention of clubs in Europe and we are very proud that we were able to reach an agreement with AS Roma to help him start his career with such a historic club can continue. “
Reynolds follows Cannon as well as stellar academics Chris Richards (Bayern Munich) and Weston McKennie (Juventus) to form a European squad after going through the Dallas FC development system.
He is also the youngest MLS homegrown star to travel to Europe this winter, after former Philadelphia Union couple Brenden Aaronson (RB Salzburg) and Mark McKenzie (KRC Genk), and NYCFC academy graduate Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach).
