Chelsea signs Pulisic in record deal

DORTMUND, Germany (AP):

Christian Pulisic became the most expensive American footballer in history after completing a transfer to English club Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund yesterday.

Chelsea paid €64 million (US$73 million) for the 20-year-old United States winger, who will be loaned back to Dortmund for the rest of this season. The German club will not have to pay Chelsea for the loan.

The fee is easily the biggest paid for an American player, surpassing the reported €20 million (US$22.5 million) spent by German team Wolfsburg for John Brooks in 2017.

"It was always Christian's big dream to play in the Premier League," Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said. "That certainly has to do with his American origins, and so it wasn't possible for us to extend his contract."

The Hershey, Pennsylvania native's contract with Dortmund was due to expire at the end of next season.

"It is a privilege to have signed for such a legendary club," Pulisic said of the London team that has won five Premier League titles since 2005. He thanked Dortmund for "finding a solution that was win-win for everyone.

Pulisic had long been linked with a move to a Premier League club, while Dortmund's league rival Bayern Munich was also reportedly interested.

Despite the price tag, the signing could be somewhat of a coup for Chelsea if it helps the club establish a larger American fan base.

"He's one of the great young talents in the world," former US defender Alexi Lalas wrote on Twitter. "He just happens to be American ... which makes him even more valuable. All brands want to continue to mine the fertile US market, having Pulisic doesn't hurt."