08 June 2023 , 18:02
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A USMNT starlet who has been compared with Virgil van Dijk has earned himself a move to two-time European champions Benfica in a ground-breaking deal.
Kentucky-born Josh Wynder has experienced something of a whirlwind year, having emerged as one of the USA's brightest prospects while turning out for his hometown club Louisville City. After making his professional debut in 2021, the 18-year-old has been a mainstay for his side in the USL Championship over the past couple of years.
After impressing with his boyhood side, he soon received national recognition, starring for the USMNT U-20s, while even receiving a place the preliminary roster for the upcoming senior Gold Cup squad. This follows a call-up to the senior squad which came earlier this year for a friendly against Mexico.
The youngster's rise has not been was not lost on Europe's elite sides, however, with Portuguese giants Benfica having parted with $1.2m for his services. It is a historic and groundbreaking deal, with Wynder the first player to break the $1million transfer fee barrier from the USL Championship, the second tier of US soccer.
The plan for now is for the defensive prospect to spend time with the Primeira Liga outfit's second string while he continues his development.
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His major move to Europe will not come as a surprise to USL sporting director Mark Cartwright who has previously tipped Wynder for stardom. In an interview with Sky Sports News, he even suggested that the defender could be 'the next Virgil van Dijk'.
He said: "I genuinely believe we have the next Virgil van Dijk playing in our league. He's 17, playing week in, week out, and he is absolutely unbelievable – Josh Wynder, who plays for Louisville."
Josh Wynder has earned himself some big comparisons including with Liverpool superstar Virgil van Dijk (Michael Regan/Getty Images)Will Josh Wynder emerge as a world star over the next decade? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Speaking with GOAL, the teenager revealed that he has modelled his game on the Liverpool colossus, with Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger also serving as a key inspiration. He explained: "I'll say the player that I mostly look at is [Antonio] Rudiger"
"I think he brings so much energy and he goes into tackles like crazy, sliding, whatever it is. And then also Van Dijk is calm on the ball, a strong, big guy who can score on a corner. Those are two players I've looked at."
The move follows on from the transfer of fellow USMNT starlet Jonathan Gomez who moved to Spanish side Real Sociedad from Louisville City last year. Since then, the two-time US international has not played a game for the first-team but has turned out on 42 occasions for the club's reserves.
Like Gomez before him, the Wynder will be hoping to gain experience in and around elite-level professionals, while pushing for a first-team place in the coming years.