Kevin Paredes has joined the exodus of young MLS talent to Europe this winter, leaving D.C. United for Wolfsburg in a move that adds to the tally of U.S. players in the Bundesliga.
Paredes, a versatile 18-year-old who can play out wide on the left in the midfield or defense, is headed abroad a transfer fee of $7.35 million (plus performance-based add-ons), which is a record for D.C. Paredes, who is signed through 2026, played in 24 matches in '21 (19 starts) with three goals and an assist, and he was initially called into U.S. men's national team camp in December before an ankle injury kept him from facing Bosnia-Herzegovina in a friendly.
“We’re very happy that Kevin was quickly convinced by our philosophy and our path, and that he’s joining us,” Wolfsburg sporting director Marcel Schäfer said in a statement. “Despite his age, he’s already gained some experience at first-team level, and as well as the left wing he can also play in the center. In addition, he brings pace and dynamism, he’s very agile and nimble on the ball, covers a lot of ground on the pitch and has a really good mentality.”
