Minnesota United has successfully negotiated a deal to bring Caden Clark, the United States Under-20 star, back to Major League Soccer.
The 20-year-old, who is currently on loan with Danish club Vendsyssel FF, is set to join the Loons in January 2024 under a two-year contract, featuring two club options, for an undisclosed transfer fee.
Clark initially made the move from Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls to the Bundesliga in 2021.
He was loaned back to the Red Bulls until 2023, during which time he trained with the German side but did not make a first-team appearance. Now, he is officially returning to the league where he made a name for himself as a young talent.
Born in Medina, Minnesota, Clark is returning to the state where he honed his skills as a football player.
He played for the Minnesota Thunder Academy from 2015 to 2017 before joining the FC Barcelona residence academy in Arizona from 2017 to 2020. Eventually, he signed his first professional contract with the Red Bulls.
Clark had been training with the Loons in the United States since early August before securing a loan back to Europe for the remainder of the campaign prior to finalizing the deal with MNUFC.
Given that the MLS secondary transfer window closed on August 2, it was not possible for him to compete in the league this season. Instead, he will link up with the Loons in January 2024.
“Caden Clark is a talented, young footballer who is excited to be joining our club. We feel we’ve now brought in and developed a core group of young players that will leave us in good stead and help set the standard for the club over next few years,” said MNUFC Head Coach Adrian Heath in a statement. “He’s a Minnesota kid, which is another big plus for us, he’s coming home.
“We know what he is capable of and we’ve seen his talent here in Major League Soccer. We are really thrilled to get him beginning next season and I know our fans will be excited as well.”
The 20-year-old will finish out the current calendar year in Denmark before joining up with Adrian Heath and MNUFC in January, 2024.