USMNT striker Ricardo Pepi set to sign with PSV
PSV has signed USMNT striker Ricardo Pepi from FC Augsburg, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The two clubs have agreed on a €10 million ($10.96 million) fee. Pepi will sign a five-year contract that ties him with the Eredivisie runners-up until 2028.
This transfer keeps Pepi in the Netherlands after the 20-year-old spent last season on loan with FC Groningen. He scored 13 goals in 31 competitions for Groningen during his time with the club. Despite his goal-scoring prowess, however, he was unable to help his side avoid relegation.
Although he impressed in the Netherlands, it seemed unlikely that he would return to his parent club FC Augsburg in the Netherlands. Augsburg signed Pepi from FC Dallas in 2022 for a club-record fee of $20 million.
Although he was touted as the next American to break out in the Bundesliga, he failed to score in all 16 of his Bundesliga appearances.
After losing confidence in their new signing, Augsburg loaned Pepi to Groningen. There, he found his footing and is now set to continue his career in the Netherlands with PSV.
This signing also comes following Pepi’s recent resurgence with the national team. Although Folarin Balogun is now set to be the USMNT’s starting striker, Pepi is continuing to perform well for the team. He scored the third and final goal in the U.S.’s 3-0 route of Mexico in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals on June 15 and now has seven goals in 16 appearances for the U.S.
The addition of Pepi adds to PSV’s existing attacking threats. The club relied on players such as Luuk de Jong and Xavi Simons last season to produce up front. Now, Pepi is added to that mix.
He brings with him an impressive goal-scoring pedigree that could be vital as PSV competes in Champions League qualifiers and looks to win the Eredivisie after coming up short last season.
Watch out, Eredivisie. Ricardo Pepi is back.
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