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Steve Birnbaum has been the subject of many vague rumors of European interest (at least, the ones with any sort of veracity have been vague. No chance that "Birnbaum to Dortmund" rumor is a thing), but now we have a clearer picture of where Birnbaum could potentially move this summer.
Na Cory Gibbs kan centrale verdediger Steve Birnbaum van @dcunited 2e Amerikaan ooit bij Feyenoord worden. Rotterdammers erg geïnteresseerd.
— Merijn Slagter (@JopS85) May 20, 2016
After Cory Gibbs can central defender Steve Birnbaum @dcunited's 2nd American ever at Feyenoord. Rotterdam-team very interested. - via Bing Translate
The Eredivisie has long been host to young international talent, and helped many young American prospects achieve professional success. Were he to move, Birnbaum would join forward Rubio Rubin (FC Utrecht) and defender Desevio Payne (FC Groningen) as Americans playing in the Dutch first division.
At 25, Birnbaum isn't exactly what you'd call a young prospect in world football. Then again, he is only a third-year pro, having played a full four years in college at the University of California. It's impossible to tell how such a delayed start to his professional career could affect his development. Clint Dempsey was already 24 when he first moved to Fulham, after all, and only scored one goal his first season there. All we really know is Birnbaum's stock has risen significantly with the national team over the past year, and it has him in the position to cash in at the club level.
Is a move to the Netherlands the right call for Birnbaum? Let us know in the comments section!