It was just a matter of time that a team that plays a high level of European football (soccer) would come calling for New York Red Bulls star left back (defender) John Tolkin.
Well, today, multiple sports media outlets have reported that the Chatham, N.J., native has been transferred to Holstein Kiel of the Bundesliga, the second level in the German football league system, in a $3 million dollar transfer deal, pending a physical.
A transfer is the action taken whenever a player under contract moves between clubs. It refers to the transferring of a player’s registration from one association football club to another, with the former team earning a portion of the pact.
Holstein Kiel last year had approached the Red Bulls for the 22-year-old’s services, along with interest from other German clubs, Belgium, and Italy, per reports.
However, New York turned down Holstein Kiel’s request because they could not agree upon a deal that would benefit both the team and Tolkin, according to a source.
The former 2024 United States Olympic soccer team member and 2023 Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star will now join a team that is in the midst of an expulsion fight in the Bundesliga. Holstein Kiel is presently in 17th place out of 18 clubs and only three points from moving out of the relegation area.
Holstein Kiel earned a promotion to the Bundesliga last season.
Tolkin was suiting up for the US Men’s National Team’s (USMNT) January camp but has left the squad to join Holstein Kiel.
Tolkin helped the Red Bulls make the MLS finals against the LA Galaxy, a 2-1 defeat in early December.
— Jerry Del Priore
Photo: New York Red Bulls.
NY NJ Sports World/Brooklyn Sports World 