Patrick Agyemang Joins Derby County for Club Record Fee

USMNT Forward Agrees Four-Year Deal Amidst Injury Concerns

U.S. Men’s National Team striker Patrick Agyemang has completed a significant move to English Championship club Derby County, signing a four-year contract. The transfer fee, reportedly $7.7 million, represents a club record for Charlotte FC, the MLS team he leaves behind.

A Talented Addition with a Medical Caveat

The 24-year-old attacker joins the Rams after a prolific period with Charlotte FC. Agyemang netted eight goals in just 18 appearances during the first half of the current MLS season. Over his entire tenure since 2023, he has scored 17 times in 59 regular-season matches.

For the national team, Agyemang contributed two goals during the Gold Cup, playing a vital role by starting all six games as the U.S. reached the final, ultimately falling to Mexico. His performances have marked him as a rising talent in American soccer.

Hernia Surgery to Delay Debut

Derby County revealed that Agyemang will undergo hernia surgery shortly after his arrival. The club stated he had been playing through discomfort for much of the 2025 MLS season, managing the injury without an operation. This necessary surgery means Agyemang is expected to miss the early fixtures of the 2025-26 Championship season.

A Championship Ambition

Originally selected 12th overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, the East Hartford, Connecticut native expressed his excitement about the transfer. “I’ve heard about [the move] once I was getting into the national team for the Gold Cup,” Agyemang shared. “And obviously, in the moment, you’re like, ‘that’s something I’m interested in!’ But you want to focus on what you’re doing.”

“Then, as it starts to progress, you start to look more into it. And there is this project I’d love to be a part of. And I just hoped for it to get across the line. And happily, it did.”

—Patrick Agyemang, Forward

Derby County, who narrowly avoided relegation to the third tier last season, aims to rebuild its strength with new signings like Agyemang. The club has a history of fluctuating between divisions, last appearing in the Premier League during the 2007-2008 campaign.

The Championship’s competitive nature means that teams often invest significant sums in key players. For instance, Leeds United recently secured a deal for forward Willy Gnonto for a reported £20 million, highlighting the financial stakes in England’s second tier.