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USMNT midfielder Sebastian Berhalter finalizing $2M transfer to Middlesbrough
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USMNT midfielder Sebastian Berhalter is finalizing a transfer from Vancouver Whitecaps to English Championship side Middlesbrough, according to sources. The 25-year-old, who is out of contract this winter, will move in the summer transfer window for a fee of approximately $2 million. Berhalter was held out of Vancouver's recent match as the deal progressed. He featured for the United States at the 2026 World Cup, appearing in all five matches and scoring against Turkey. Berhalter was named to the MLS Best XI in 2025 and earned All-Star recognition in 2026. He recorded five goals and 13 assists last season while helping Vancouver reach both the MLS Cup final and Concacaf Champions Cup final. The son of former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter, he has 18 caps and will join fellow American midfielder Aidan Morris at Middlesbrough.
Source report
By Tom Bogert
Middlesbrough is finalizing a deal to sign U.S. national team midfielder Sebastian Berhalter from the Vancouver Whitecaps, sources briefed on the deal tell The Athletic.
Berhalter, who is out of contract this winter, will make the move during the summer transfer window. Boro will pay a fee in the region of $2 million, sources say, rather than Berhalter walking for free in the winter. Around 6–10 clubs seriously pursued Berhalter this summer, sources add.
He was held out of the Whitecaps’ 4–3 loss to FC Cincinnati on Wednesday night as the deal advanced.
Key Career Highlights
- Age: 25
- World Cup 2026: Featured in all five U.S. matches (one start), scored a powerful strike vs. Turkey in the group stage, and added an assist.
- MLS Best XI: Named to the 2025 MLS Best XI.
- 2026 Season: Among the league’s best midfielders again, earning All-Star recognition.
- 2025 Stats: Five goals and 13 assists across all competitions from a box-to-box midfield role.
- Club Success: Helped lead the Whitecaps to the Canadian Championship title, the MLS Cup final, and the Concacaf Champions Cup final.
National Team and Personal Background
- The son of former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter, Sebastian made his national team debut under Mauricio Pochettino in the summer of 2025 and played his way onto the World Cup squad.
- He has 18 caps for the United States.
Middlesbrough Connection
Berhalter joins fellow American midfielder Aidan Morris at Boro. Morris and Berhalter are close friends and former youth teammates from their days with the Columbus Crew.
Boro has been active around the American market, signing Morris as well as former Charlotte FC defender Adilson Malanda. The club had a bid rejected last year by the Crew for American wingback Max Arfsten.
Rise from Modest Beginnings
Berhalter’s rise was one of the most notable stories in MLS over recent years. He was initially acquired by the Whitecaps for a nominal fee of $50,000 in general allocation money (a salary cap mechanism in MLS) in 2022 — the smallest denomination of GAM that can be traded.
Since then, he developed into one of the league’s best midfielders, a World Cup player, and soon, one to debut in the Championship.
What You Should Read Next: Inside the USMNT’s World Cup: BBQ bonding, squad’s shock over Balogun and exit ‘depression’ The full story of a campaign that united the nation, sparked global controversy, and ended in familiar heartache.
Source
Soccer - The AthleticWestern
Part of this Story
USMNT's Sebastian Berhalter transfers from Vancouver to Middlesbrough