Deal perfect: Werner moves to the USA

As expected, Timo Werner is leaving Bundesliga club RB Leipzig to seek his fortune in the USA. According to dpa information, the former national team player is moving to the MLS with the San José Earthquakes. Official confirmation is still pending, but only formalities remain to be clarified. The contract of the attacker, who no longer played a sporting role at RB, would have expired in the summer.

"Basically, things are on the home straight," said coach Ole Werner. Werner will not be in the squad for the match against FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday (3.30pm/Sky), the coach confirmed. For family reasons, however, Werner could still train in Leipzig in February; this is currently being clarified. "He will receive all the support he needs from us so that he is well prepared for his new role," said the 37-year-old.

The Werner side had already been in contact with the California club in December. Pre-season preparations in the MLS begin for most teams in the coming weeks. The first game is scheduled for February 22 against Kansas City.

Probably top earner in San José

Last summer, a move to the New York Red Bulls was on the cards for the 29-year-old, but Werner decided to stay in Leipzig. There he made three brief appearances and played just over ten Bundesliga minutes in total.

Werner is likely to become one of the team's top earners at San José. The Swabian has a place as a designated player, which means his salary is freely negotiable. According to media reports, Werner earned a salary of around ten million euros a year in Leipzig. In sporting terms, the Earthquakes are not a figurehead in the MLS, having missed out on the play-offs in recent seasons.

Werner's second spell in Leipzig has come to an unsuccessful end. The 57-time international returned to the Saxons from Chelsea FC for €20 million in the summer of 2022. Two years earlier, Werner had moved to England for 53 million euros. He was unable to return to his most successful period, when he scored 28 goals in the 2019/20 Bundesliga season.