Alex Freeman, a hopeful for the American World Cup roster, has completed his transfer from Orlando City to Villarreal, a prominent club in Spain’s LaLiga.
Villarreal announced the signing of Freeman, a 21-year-old right back and the current MLS Young Player of the Year, for the duration of the 2032 season.
The transfer fee is said to start at over $4 million and could exceed $7 million with potential add-ons. Orlando City will receive 15% of any future sale of Freeman’s contract by Villarreal, according to ESPN.
The player, who hails from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is aiming for a spot in Mauricio Pochettino’s World Cup squad. The USMNT manager expressed his support for Freeman’s move on Thursday.
“It’s important that the player feels happy and comfortable,” Pochettino noted. “If a player transfers, it’s because they want to improve and grow. This is a great challenge that we need to support and help them adapt to.”
Freeman is the son of Antonio Freeman, a former All-Pro wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers.
Last season, Freeman scored six goals and provided three assists in 29 MLS matches (26 starts) for Orlando City. In the prior two seasons, he had no goals and one assist in three league games, all as a substitute.
Freeman joined the USMNT in May and started every game in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He recorded his first two international goals in a friendly against Uruguay on November 18, bringing his total to 13 caps by the end of the year.
Villarreal is currently in fourth place in the LaLiga standings, trailing Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid. They finished next to last in the UEFA Champions League group stage and were eliminated early.
Orlando City ended last season in ninth place in MLS’s Eastern Conference and lost in a wild-card playoff match.