Inter Miami trade USA star and former Newcastle right back DeAndre Yedlin to FC Cincinnati for $173k in General Allocation Monday… ending his time as captain of Lionel Messi’s MLS team

Inter Miami has traded USMNT right back DeAndre Yedlin to FC Cincinnati to gain “significant roster flexibility, in addition to acquiring $172,799 in general allocation funds (GAM),” according to the club itself.

The Herons shared the departure of the 30-year-old former Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur defender on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday morning.

Yedlin had signed a four-year contract with Inter Miami in February 2022 with an additional one-year option, following his departure from Galatasaray.

At the time of his arrival at the club, former manager Phil Neville described Yedlin as “almost a (designated player) signing for us, in terms of his quality”.

The Seattle, Washington native racked up 82 appearances in the pink Inter Miami uniform. He is now expected to be available for Cincy’s CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 match against CF Monterrey on Thursday.

The former Newcastle and Tottenham star, 30, was one of the first stars to sign for the Herons in 2022.

“We are excited to welcome DeAndre and his family to Cincinnati,” said Cincinnati general manager Chris Albright. ‘He is a natural leader who will bring valuable experience and quality to our group. We are confident that he will fit in perfectly with us on and off the field, and we look forward to him joining us.”

Cincinnati will be Yedlin’s third MLS club in his career after he broke into the league with his hometown Seattle Sounders during the 2013-14 season.

Yedlin will play right back for FC Cincinnati, rather than playing his natural right back position, according to reports.

The club opened the 2024 season with a win and a draw after winning the Supporters’ Shield for the best regular season record last year.

Yedlin won the Leagues Cup with Inter Miami in Lionel Messi’s first season with the club, and also captained the Herons to the final.

Internationally, Yedlin has 81 caps for the United States and played for the Americans in two World Cups (2022 and 2014).

Yedlin has one goal and 15 assists in 121 career MLS games for the Sounders and Inter Miami.

‘DeAndre has been a leader for us on and off the field, and we are very grateful for everything he has done for Inter Miami. I’ve known him since his academy days in Seattle and I’m proud to see his success here, including helping the team lift its first trophy,” said Inter Miami sporting director and sporting director Chris Henderson, referring to Inter Miami’s first medal. club silver – the Leagues Cup – last season.

‘This exchange gives us the flexibility to continue building our squad. “Our ambitions remain high and we will look to use the space created by this move to improve our team as we aim to compete for titles.”

Internationally, Yedlin has made 81 appearances for the USMNT and played on the Americans’ last two World Cup teams, in 2022 and 2014.