After eight years in New York, American youngster Tyler Adams is set to join Bundesliga side RB Leipzig. Leaving the New York Red Bulls on a free transfer, Adams will join sister club RB Leipzig on January 1st. The latest in a long line of Americans to make the switch to the Bundesliga, we take a closer look at Leipzig’s new teenage phenom.
Tyler Adams: RB Leipzig’s Teenage Phenom
Who is Tyler Adams?
Joining the New York Red Bulls Academy in 2011, Adams progressed through the clubs youth system, before signing his first professional contract in 2016. An impressive talent at a young age, he made strides for both club and country. Making 52 appearances in two seasons with New York, Adams also made 25 youth appearances for the United States. Now 19 years of age, Adams has gone on to make nine senior appearances for his country.
Mature beyond his years, Adams is ready to take the next step in his career. Adams can impact a team in many ways, bringing versatility and work rate to an ever-improving Leipzig side. Primarily a defensive midfielder, Adams can also play at either right or left-back in emergencies. This makes the American a useful player to have around, giving Leipzig more options in midfield and some extra security at the back. When he joins the club, Adams will reunite with former Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch, who is now an assistant with Leipzig.
High Potential
Joining the likes of Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, Adams will hope to become the latest American to make an impact in the Bundesliga. Making the switch between the MLS and Bundesliga at the same time as Alphonso Davies, who is set to join Bayern Munich, Adams and Davies both have a long road ahead. Two highly rated teenagers, Adams has great potential, just like Davies, but they’re different players. Adams has lower expectations, with Davies projected to become a future star. This, however, doesn’t make Adams any less valuable to his new team.
Playing a defensive-minded role, the former Red Bull has the potential to play a big role for Leipzig in the future. Similar to McKennie at Schalke, Adams has some valuable traits. Energy, hard work, leadership and versatility, Adams has the tools to make an impact throughout his career. Showing great leadership at such a young age, Adams also possesses the makeup of a future captain, for club and country.
This Season and Beyond
Joining a Leipzig team hoping to qualify for the Champions League, Adams has a chance to play a role in the second half of the season. Despite only being 19, fans in Leipzig can expect Adams to make an impact right away. A team willing to throw youngsters into the mix early on in their career’s, Adams can expect game time. This will only benefit Adams long-term, with Leipzig the ideal environment for a player like him to grow and develop.
Leipzig and Adams are a match made in heaven, stylistically. Used to playing the Red Bull way, Adams should adapt quickly. Both Leipzig and New York play a similar style of football, so the transition between the two teams should be relatively easy for Adams. Playing a high-pressing style, Leipzig will require players like Adams to win the ball and break forward in high numbers. Good with the ball, Adams and others need to distribute the ball quickly for the teams attacking style to be effective.
A promising player, Adams should play a role this season and beyond. As new manager Julian Nagelsmann takes over next season, it’s clear the future of a club not even 10 years old is becoming brighter by the day.
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