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Sources: USMNT's Sebastian Berhalter finalizing transfer to Middlesbrough from Vancouver
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U.S. national team midfielder Sebastian Berhalter is finalizing a transfer from Vancouver Whitecaps to Middlesbrough in the English Championship, according to sources. The 25-year-old, out of contract this winter, will move in the summer window for a fee around $2 million. Berhalter, who scored for the USMNT at the 2026 World Cup and was named to the MLS Best XI in 2025, had five goals and 13 assists last season. He joins fellow American Aidan Morris at Middlesbrough. Berhalter was acquired by Vancouver in 2022 for just $50,000 in allocation money.
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.
Transfer Details
- Berhalter, who is out of contract this winter, will make the move during the summer transfer window.
- Middlesbrough will pay a fee in the region of $2 million, sources say, rather than allowing Berhalter to walk 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.
Player Profile
Berhalter, 25, featured for the United States at the World Cup this summer. He appeared in all five U.S. matches (one start), scored a powerful strike vs. Turkey in the group stage, and added an assist.
- Named to the MLS Best XI in 2025
- Earned All-Star recognition in 2026
- Recorded 5 goals and 13 assists across all competitions last season from a box-to-box midfield role
- Helped lead the Whitecaps to:
- Canadian Championship title
- MLS Cup final
- Concacaf Champions Cup final
National Team Career
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.
Connection to Middlesbrough
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.
Middlesbrough 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 Through MLS
Berhalter’s rise was one of the most notable stories in MLS in recent years:
- Initially acquired by the Whitecaps in 2022 for a nominal fee of $50,000 in general allocation money (GAM) — the smallest denomination of GAM that can be traded.
- Developed into one of the league’s best midfielders, a World Cup player, and soon a debutant in the Championship.
What You Should Read Next: Inside the USMNT’s World Cup: BBQ bonding, squad’s shock over Balogun and exit ‘depression’
Source
Soccer - The AthleticWestern
Part of this Story
USMNT's Sebastian Berhalter transfers from Vancouver to Middlesbrough