EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (AP) — United States forward Ricardo Pepi signed for PSV Eindhoven on Friday, staying in the Dutch league where he impressed last season.
PSV said the 20-year-old Pepi signed a five-year contract with the club which finished runner-up in the Eredivisie last season.
The deal could keep Pepi in Eindhoven until the 2026 World Cup that the U.S. will co-host with Canada and Mexico.
Pepi is familiar with the league after scoring 12 times for Groningen, which was relegated, while on loan from German top-tier club Augsburg.
“Ricardo possesses the qualities we look for in an attacker,” said PSV technical director Earnie Stewart, the former U.S. international. “He has proven to be a goal scorer in multiple positions, and he works extremely hard for it.”
The transfer fee PSV will pay Augsburg was not stated. German media reported the fee was about 9 million euros ($10 million).
Pepi moved to the Bundesliga in January 2022 after impressing with FC Dallas in Major League Soccer though he struggled at Augsburg.
Pepi has scored seven goals in 16 games for the U.S. national team but was not selected for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Americans were eliminated in the round of 16 by the Netherlands.
PSV will play in the Champions League qualifying rounds next month needing to beat two opponents to reach the lucrative group stage.
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