Right back Alex Freeman, a contender for this year’s United States World Cup squad, transferred on Thursday to LaLiga club Villarreal from MLS team Orlando City.
The 21-year-old, son of former All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Freeman, made his debut for the U.S. national team in May against Turkey.
Freeman gained playing time while Sergiño Dest was recovering from a torn ACL, accumulating 13 international caps and netting two goals in a November friendly against Uruguay.
He placed third in the voting for the U.S. Soccer Federation Male Player of the Year.
On Thursday, U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed optimism regarding Freeman’s transfer.
“I am not worried. I am not concerned about if some players are going to move in that transfer window because always, what I expect [is] the best thing and for sure, always for me it’s important that the player feel happy, feel comfortable,” Pochettino stated.
Pochettino mentioned that he had a conversation with Freeman prior to the transfer.
“If that happens, it is because they want to improve, they want to grow and I think it’s an amazing challenge that we need to support and help and to adapt in the best possible way.”
He made his first MLS appearance for Orlando on April 29, 2023, coming on during second-half stoppage time. He had two additional substitute appearances in MLS in 2024, totaling 10 minutes, before taking over as the starting right back last season from Dagur Thórhallsson.
Freeman scored six goals in 29 league matches for Orlando last year. He was named to the MLS All-Star team and received the MLS Young Player of the Year award.
Orlando announced it will receive a sell-on percentage if Freeman transfers in the future.
Now 53, Antonio played nine seasons in the NFL, earning All-Pro honors in 1998 and winning the 1997 Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
