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With the Winter Transfer Window in full swing, this week we saw some more movement for young Americans.
Cameron Carter-Vickers - Center Back, Tottenham (On Loan at Ipswitch Town)
Carter-Vickers was recalled early from his loan at Sheffield United with the prognosis of playing time likely decreasing. Within the same week, Tottenham secured a loan to a different Championship level team, Ipswitch Town. His loan will run for the rest of this season before he will be scheduled to return to Tottenham. Carter-Vickers made his debut for Ipswitch Town in a back 4 on Saturday against Bolton Wanderers and fellow British-American loanee Antonee Robinson. He played pretty well over the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw.
Gboly Ariyibi - Winger Nottingham Forest (On Loan at Northampton Town)
This was an important week for the Nigerian-American, with Nottingham Forest recalling him early from his loan at MK Dons and securing another loan to League One side, Northampton Town. Ariyibi came off the bench in the 73rd minute to make his debut against his previous club, MK Dons, in Northampton Town’s 2-1 win on Saturday. Ariyibi had 7 goals in 28 games for MK Dons prior to the move. Good luck Gboly!
Emerson Hyndman - Central Midfielder AFC Bournemouth
Hyndman made his third appearance of the season in Bournemouth’s 3-0 loss to Wigan in the FA Cup on Wednesday. He came off the bench in the 78th minute after Bournemouth were already down by three goals, but he was unable to help Bournemouth mount some miracle comeback. With Bournemouth being eliminated from the competition, the opportunity for squad rotation will be more limited for the rest of the season. This doesn’t bode well for his chances at playing time this season. There are rumors of potential loans or permanent moves this window, including a possible loan to team up with Lynden Gooch at Sunderland, but nothing has yet been confirmed. We’ll see if the 21-year-old will be on the move within the next couple weeks (or days even).
Jordan Siebatcheu - Striker, Stade Reims
Siebatcheu started both victories this week for Stade Reims. In the midweek match against Tours FC and Maki Tall, he was held scoreless but his slump didn’t last long. He struck twice in their 2-0 victory over FBBP on Friday. Siebatcheu has been absolutey on fire in Ligue 2, scoring 6 times in his last 4 matches. Let’s hope he can keep up this torrid form.
Ethan Borges - Central Attacking Midfielder, Sporting Club de Portugal
Borges is an Italian-American who trained at Pateadores USSDA in California and was noticed by AS Roma. He spent last year in Roma’s academy before moving to Sporting this year. The 13-year-old is one to keep tabs on for the long-term future. Sporting has an outstanding academy and he will learn from some high quality coachces. Good luck, Ethan!
Stephen Payne - Striker/Attacking Midfielder Varzim SC
Payne is a 20-year-old attacking player, who first signed with Estoril Praia in Portugal. He played for their B team prior to moving last summer to Keaton Parks’ old team Varzim SC. He’s been playing for their B team and this week he signed a contract extension. Parks was able to move up from there. Let’s hope Stephen Payne can succeed and do the same.
Mukwelle Akale - Winger Villareal
Akale has had a rough season with Villareal’s C team. He was injured very early in the season and only returned to playing just before Christmas. Akale turned 21 this week and seems to still be very far away from the first team at Villareal. He made his first team friendly debut in August of 2016, but it’s been a struggle this season without the ability to play consistently. Now at 21 and with his contract set to expire in June, Akale really needs to seek a move away from there to earn first team time. At the youth level Akale showed signs of future stardom, but playing time at a big club like Villareal is very hard to come by and likely above his level. Let’s hope he can find a move this summer.
Akil Watts - Central Midfielder/Center Back Portland Timbers
Akil Watts is reportedly on trial at RCD Mallorca in Spain. The Portland Timbers Academy player is set to turn 18 on February 4th and would then be eligible to sign in Europe. Watts played for two years at IMG Academy before moving on to Portland. But now, he seems to be set on moving across the pond. Many players that featured for the US in the last U-17 cycle have already moved or are seeking moves to various European teams. Chris Gloster and Zyen Jones are reportedly trialing at Schalke. Indiana Vassilev is reportedly trying to move to West Ham. Taylor Booth is reportedly a Bayern Munich target. And of course, Josh Sargent has already signed a pre-contract with Werder Bremen.
As always, if there is something important that I overlooked, please mention it in the comment section.