Fresh off a standout run with the U.S. Men’s National Team at the Gold Cup, Patrick Agyemang is officially heading to England. The striker has completed his move to Derby County in the English Championship, after a breakout stretch in both MLS and international competition.
Agyemang signs with Derby County
Transfer fee reported at $8 million, plus potential bonuses
Only player to appear in all 12 USMNT matches in 2025
Derby County confirmed the arrival of U.S. forward Patrick Agyemang on Tuesday, ending months of speculation surrounding his next move. Charlotte FC agreed to a reported $8 million deal, the largest transfer fee in the club’s history, and secured a future sell-on clause in the process.
Agyemang becomes the fifth signing of the summer for Derby. The 24-year-old has put pen to paper on a contract running through 2029. However, his debut may be delayed—he’s set to undergo hernia surgery and is unlikely to be available for the start of the 2025-26 Championship season.
The striker has been ever-present for the U.S. in 2025, meaning he has made appearances in all 12 national team fixtures so far. Since earning his debut in January, he has netted five international goals and was a consistent starter during the Gold Cup, including the final defeat against Mexico. On the club level, he scored 10 goals for Charlotte last season and already had eight goals and two assists midway through the current MLS campaign.
What Agyemang said
“It’s exciting,” Agyemang said. “I’ve been hearing a lot of great things about the club and the supporters, and I’ve always wanted to be part of something meaningful. Now that it’s happened, it feels amazing. I started hearing about the interest when I joined the national team for the Gold Cup, and while I had to stay focused on the tournament, it caught my attention.”
“As things progressed, I got more serious about the idea. There’s a long-term vision at Derby that I wanted to be part of. I was just hoping everything would come together, and thankfully it did.”
The striker is ready for what lies ahead in England.
“I’m expecting it to be very challenging,” he said. “It’s going to take a lot of effort and consistency, and the game schedule is intense. But that’s what I’ve signed up for. I’ve always been the type to embrace a big next step.
The bigger picture
This move represents a bold step for Agyemang, who joins a Derby side that narrowly avoided relegation last season. The Championship is known for its grind, and how quickly he adapts could shape his USMNT future, especially with the 2026 World Cup coming up soon.
Agyemang has certainly made a case for inclusion in the World Cup squad, but he’ll now be competing in the same league as fellow American forwards Josh Sargent, Haji Wright, and Damion Downs. Meanwhile, Ricardo Pepi and Folarin Balogun are expected to lead the national team’s striker pool under Mauricio Pochettino.
In betting on himself, Agyemang has taken a risk—but one that could pay off in a big way. Success in the Championship might be the final push he needs to secure a permanent place in the USMNT’s plans moving forward.
