15 hours ago
3
Deal imminent
©TM/IMAGO
Charlotte FC striker Patrick Agyemang is set to join Championship side Derby County. First reported by Steven Goff from the Washington Post in late June, a deal was delayed by the US men’s national team's progress at the Gold Cup. The USMNT reached the final, where they lost 2-1 to Mexico. With the tournament now concluded, the door is finally open for Agyemang to complete his medical and sign his contract at Derby County.
For Charlotte, it is a historic deal. Transfermarkt can confirm reports that the Major League Soccer club will receive an initial $8m (€6.8m) plus $2m (€1.7m) in add-ons. The deal also includes the usual mechanism, such as a percentage of any future deal. Those clauses usually range from 10-20% depending on the time of the transfer. Just the initial fee makes Agyemang the most expensive outgoing transfer in the history of Charlotte FC (overview).
Agyemang played for the University of Rhode Island and in the USL League Two for Western Mass Pioneers before he was drafted 12th overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by Charlotte. The now 24-year-old then scored ten goals in 11 games in MLS NEXT PRO for Crown Legacy before making the full jump to the first team ahead of the 2024 season. That year, he scored ten goals and three assists in 31 regular-season games. This year, he added another six goals and one assist in 16 MLS regular-season games.
USMNT player Agyemang joins Derby County
With the MLS numbers in mind, US men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino called Agyemang in January, and the 193cm tall center-forward has scored five goals in 12 games for his country. Agyemang also started in all six games at this summer’s Gold Cup, where his goal output has been somewhat disappointing, scoring only against Trinidad & Tobago and Haiti.
Indeed, to make the next step in his development, Agyemang will have to become a more consistent goalscorer. While his best attributes are his physicality and strength on the ball, the center-forward struggles with his first touch and ability to be more effective inside the box in tight spaces. Either way, with his size and strength, Agyemang has the profile to be an effective player in the English Championship.
