Tyler Freeman: Who is the American teenager joining Karlsruher from Kansas?
Sporting Kansas City attacker Tyler Freeman will spend the 2021/22 season on loan at Bundesliga 2 club Karlsruher SC. bundesliga.com profiles the 18-year-old US youth international...
Tyler Freeman
Age: 18
Club: Karlsruher SC (on loan from Sporting Kansas City)
Position: Winger/attacking midfielder
Country: USA (seven U17s caps/one goal).
Key stats
Freeman joined the Sporting Academy at the age of 11. He turned out at every level from U12s through to U19s, before signing an MLS Homegrown Player contract in October 2018 - three months before turning 16. After scoring three goals across his first two seasons in the USL Championship, landing all six of his 2020 goal attempts on target, the two-time Kansas State Cup winner registered three goals and one assist in nine appearances in 2021.
Freeman has also represented the US U14, U16 and U17 national teams. He featured at the 2019 CONCACAF U17 Championship, helping his country to a second-placed finish. The 5'11" right-footer can play across the attack, with the left flank his preferred starting role. He has a potential rating of 71 on EA Sports' FIFA 21, and will set you back less than £180,000.
Plays a bit like: Franck Ribery
Freeman's ability to motor past opposition players on the in- or outside is reminiscent of Bayern Munich legend Franck Ribery. He's also a real bag of tricks, and knows exactly where to find the sweet spot with direct set-pieces.
Watch: Franck Ribery - 12 years at Bayern, 12 goals
Want more Bundesliga Action?
Did you know?
When Freeman put pen to paper at Kansas ahead of the 2019 season, he became the second youngest player in club history to sign an MLS contract, and the ninth youngest MLS player ever, aged 15 years and 266 days. The teenager could become the first US national to pull on a Karlsruher shirt.
What they're saying
"Our decision to sign Tyler demonstrates the investment we have made in our professional pathway, and it’s great to see a young attacking player take a big step forward at our club. We look forward to helping him reach his potential." - Kansas coach Peter Vermes
"My dream has always been to be a professional soccer player. You have to believe in yourself." - Freeman
Related news
Matchday 31 Fantasy sales
The cut-price bargains on offer in Bundesliga Fantasy ahead of the next matchday...
Fantasy Team of the Week: Matchday 30
Marvin Ducksch, Robin Hack and Ozan Kabak were among the star performers in the Fantasy Team of the Week.
Leverkusen extend record unbeaten run
Die Werkself's incredible 45-match streak is an all-time record among teams in Europe's top five leagues...