Manchester City, like many top clubs in Europe, have scouts all across the globe. Searching for the next big thing is not only beneficial for a club because they get to develop the raw talent, but also because their rivals don’t. It seems now that the City talent scouts, along with others, have been looking at the MLS in the USA and unearthed a gem in Erik Palmer-Brown.
So what do we know of this young man who, it has been reported, has signed a four and a half year deal with the Blues? Well we know he is 20 years old, he will not turn 21 until after he has signed with us, and is one of the biggest prospects in American soccer.
He comes from the U.S Soccer Development Acadamy, where the likes of Christian Pulisic (Dortmund), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle), Lyndon Gooch (Sunderland) and Jordon Morris (Seattle) developed their trades.
He has been pursued by a number of top European clubs, including Juventus, who had a bid for the youngster turned away over three years ago. Most recently PSV, PSG and Ajax were all reported to have been after him, but it would be City who would win out.
Palmer-Brown has spent time in Europe before, while on loan at FC Porto. Although he played for the B team, he turned out 17 times and was integral as they won the LigaPro. He has played just as many times in MLS for Sporting Kansas City and has also represented his country at the U-17, U-18 and U-20 levels.
As Captain of the U-20’s in the 2017 CONCACAF Championship he led the side to success while also gaining individual praise. Voted into the best eleven for the tournament he was also voted best player.
He is certainly one for the future and, although he starts his contract with City in January, you’d have to believe he wouldn’t be involved in the Premier or Champions Leagues. Therefore my feeling is that he would be loaned out, most likely to one of our sister clubs.
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New York City FC in the MLS would, of course, be the obvious choice. However, if Pep wanted him to get more experience in European Leagues then Girona could also be a viable option. Personally, that’s the option I would choose. With a number of young City players there already it could be a way of organically growing a side before bringing them back to us, already with that on field understanding.