Tyler Adams officially transfers to Leipzig

What an incredible story this kid weaved for himself, one that hasn’t been seen before in the local New York/New Jersey soccer scene. This young and exciting midfielder showed his mettle every time he put on his kit, and attacked the opposition with no mercy.

And this is the day that he will head over to Europe with bigger and better things coming towards him. The Wappinger Falls, NY native in Tyler Adams will now take his talents across the Atlantic Ocean: he will be suiting up for Red Bull Leipzig of the German Bundesliga in the Winter Transfer Window.

“First and foremost, congratulations to Tyler and his family. We fully support Tyler’s decision to take the next step in his career, and we wish him all the best,” said Red Bulls Sporting Director Denis Hamlett.

“This move is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice from Tyler and his parents.

“There is a massive sense of pride around our organization in seeing Tyler go from a Red Bulls Summer camp, into the Regional Development School and our academy, to the First Team, the U.S. National Team, and now one of the top clubs and leagues in the world. We wish Tyler all the best and we know he will continue to be a shining example of the type of player and person we strive to develop.”

Adams was discovered by the Red Bulls Youth Coaches at a summer camp near his home town. Since that day he has taken every challenge the club could throw at him. He was joined the clubs Regional Development School program, then graduated to the club’s academy.

He was a part of US Soccer’s Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida before signing with the Red Bulls USL side at 16 - getting his first professional league season in with NYRB II.

In 2015, Adams humbled Chelsea, chasing the Premier League club out of Red Bull Arena with his NYRB II teammates.

In 2016, he was part of the II-team squad that won a league and Cup double in USL. In 2018, he helped the RBNY first team put together a record-breaking MLS season and clinch its third Supporters’ Shield in six seasons.

“We’re genuinely happy for Tyler and his family and we know that he is ready for the next step,” said Red Bulls Head Coach Chris Armas.

“In these last four years, I’ve learned that he is simply incredible. Tyler has a maturity, fearlessness, work ethic, and desire to win that make him unique.

“Tyler is the gold standard for player development in this country and I think that our club and academy can feel very proud to have worked with him and influenced him along his path. We wish him the very best and look forward to watching him shine.”

Since joining the MLS Bulls, Tyler Adams has proved he can face the big boys of Major League Soccer. He’s been through the derby days against D.C. United and New York City FC; and he did well during RBNY’s CONCACAF Champions League run earlier this year. He has been getting regular USMNT call-ups since late 2017 and is nominated for the US Male Soccer Player of the Year Award for his national-team work this season.

Adams is RBNY’s Derek Jeter. The New York Yankees five-time World Series Champion shortstop shot through his club’s farm system - from rookie ball all the way through the minors to MLB’s rookie of the year award back in 1996; he’ll quite possibly go all the way to Cooperstown now he’s retired.

“I’d like to thank everyone at the organization, coaches, staff, my teammates and the Supporters,” said Adams.

“I’ve worn a New York Red Bulls shirt for eight years, and this club has become a second family to me.

“I will always be grateful to the many people who believed in me, mentored me, and helped me get to this point. I’d also like to thank my family for their never-ending love and support. This club will always have a special place in my heart.”

Adams will now swap opponents like Philadelphia Union, San Jose Earthquakes, and Atlanta United for Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, and Borussia Dortmund. That step up to the Bundesliga will be the biggest challenge for him in a move that takes him away from family, friends, and the team he’s known for most of his soccer-playing life.

But there will be some comfort as some of his fellow youth internationals and now the US Men’s Senior National Team teammates are playing in Germany. Adams joins the likes of Josh Sargent, Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic in the growing group of young Americans seeking to make their mark in Bundesliga.