Yedlinny Has Arrived: Inter Miami sign DeAdre Yedlin to Long-Term Deal
After weeks of rumored interest from English Championship and Major League Soccer clubs, Inter Miami have officially signed U.S. international defender DeAndre Yedlin to a four-year contract. Over the course of their first few seasons in MLS, massive offseason roster changes have become commonplace for Inter Miami. However, with Chris Henderson pulling the strings as General Manager, this is the first time I have had faith in their offseason moves and some upcoming roster stability. Inter Miami were able to pick up Yedlin on a free transfer, making this a good bit of business for Henderson, especially since the 28-year-old is still playing soccer at a high level. Yedlin is the type of player who could be a staple on the Miami backline for years to come.
Yedlin is no stranger to Major League Soccer, though. After coming up through their youth academy, he signed his first professional contract with the Seattle Sounders in 2013, becoming the club’s first ever homegrown player. Yedlin was named to the All-Star Game roster in his rookie season, and would eventually play in the MLS Cup Playoffs and CONCACAF Champions League. In 2014, Yedlin was a lockdown right-back for the Sounders, who would go on to win the Supporters’ Shield and the U.S. Open Cup. Yedlin’s 2013 and 2014 campaigns were so impressive, English Premier League giant Tottenham Hotspur took notice, eventually signing him to a four-year contract in 2015. Yedlin would finish his Sounders career with 3 goals and 7 assists over 69 games. At the same time, Yedlin was beginning to solidify his spot with the U.S. men’s national team.
Yedlin was named to the All-Star Game roster in his rookie season, and would eventually play in the MLS Cup Playoffs and CONCACAF Champions League.
Unfortunately, Yedlin never broke into the Tottenham first team, having only made 1 appearance during his time there. After making appearances with the Spurs’ U21 side and being included in the first team 18 a few times, Yedlin eventually went out on loan to then Premier League side Sunderland. There, Yedlin would make 25 appearances, including EPL play, the FA Cup, and the EFL Cup. In 2016, Tottenham sold Yedlin to then EFL Championship side Newcastle United. Under the gaze of well-known manager Rafa Benitez, Newcastle would go on to finish first in the EFL Championship and earn promotion to the EPL. Yedlin would see his longest club tenure with Newcastle, where he would develop into a starter on their back line. At the end of the 2020/2021 season, Yedlin had played a career total of 125 games for Newcastle, notching 3 goals and 11 assists across all competitions.
In February of 2021, Yedlin signed a 2.5 year contract with Galatasaray in the Turkish Super League, where he would enjoy plenty of playing time as a starter in their defense. Yedlin would continue to play for Galatasaray for the 2021/2022 season through league play and Europa League action, but both parties mutually terminated his contract last month. Now, Yedlin is back in MLS and ready to pick up where he left off.
Yedlin would see his longest club tenure with Newcastle, where he would develop into a starter on their back line.
Yedlin is Miami’s 2nd right-back signing this off-season, following the signing of Christopher McVey at the end of 2021. Though I don’t believe any player’s starting spot is etched in stone, I believe that Yedlin will be the starting right-back for Inter Miami this season and for the foreseeable future. Do I think Yedlin will drag Miami out of the basement of the Eastern Conference? No. However, I think he will improve the club drastically as they start yet another rebuild year. While Miami will need more defensive reinforcements heading into the 2022 season, a back line of Yedlin, Kieran Gibbs, and Damion Lowe is a good start.
