American soccer star Weston McKennie has been a core fixture within the United States Men's National Team since making his debut with the senior side as a 17-year-old in 2017.
His professional club career has taken a few twists and turns - beginning in Germany with Schalke 04, a brief stop in England with Leeds United, and most recently with Italian superclub Juventus.
With his contract expiring in June, there have been ample rumors of McKennie leaving Italy for another project. However, according to famed soccer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Juventus wants to ensure that McKennie will stick around for the foreseeable future.
Romano reported Tuesday that the versatile player is in the final stages of a deal that will keep McKennie in Turin until 2030. The Texas native is slated to make roughly €4 million per season.
McKennie has had a bit of a rollercoaster experience at a club with gigantic expectations. There were times when the fanbase was less-than-thrilled with his lack of production. McKennie's versatility around the pitch has in a sense been a bit of a curse pertaining to his time with Juventus.
A host of managers during McKennie's five-year tenure have utilized him in various spots. A rough patch in 2023 even led to McKennie going on loan to struggling Leeds where he failed to make any real impact.
With his status at Juventus somewhat up in the air upon his return, McKennie unquestionably has become one of the team's most indispensable members. He's started every single Champions League match for Juventus during this current cycle.
Thriving in a more elevated role up the pitch underneath the striker, McKennie's creativity has led to him notching seven goals and seven assists in 36 total appearances. His prowess in the air as an aerial threat coupled with a tangible energy has more than endeared himself to the supporters of the club.
In fact, with the World Cup approaching quickly in June, one can make an argument there's not another American in Europe playing at the level that McKennie is currently.
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