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Stoke City nearing $5.5M deal for USMNT midfielder Jack McGlynn
The 23-year-old leaves Houston Dynamo for his first European move, with the Championship club paying up to $6 million
Jack McGlynn is headed to England. Stoke City is completing a deal to sign the US Men’s National Team midfielder from Houston Dynamo for a fee that starts at $5.5 million and could rise to $6 million with performance incentives.
The move marks McGlynn’s first jump to European football. At 23, he’s making the leap at an age where the learning curve is steep but the ceiling is still high.
From Philly academy to the Championship
McGlynn’s path to Stoke reads like a well-executed development plan. Born on July 7, 2003, he came through the Philadelphia Union academy. He moved to Houston Dynamo in February 2025 for a transfer fee starting at $2.1 million, with performance-based incentives layered on top.
McGlynn became a key figure in Houston’s midfield, contributing goals and assists while earning senior USMNT call-ups. Houston signed him to a contract extension in July 2025, locking him down through 2028 with an option for 2029.
Houston won’t walk away empty-handed even beyond the transfer fee. The club retained a sell-on percentage, meaning if McGlynn thrives in England and eventually moves to a bigger club, Houston gets another payday.
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What McGlynn brings to Stoke
Stoke City competes in the English Championship, the second tier of English football. For Stoke, adding McGlynn fits a broader squad-building strategy heading into the season. A $5.5 million base fee is significant spending for a Championship side, particularly for a player with international experience and years of development still ahead of him.
McGlynn’s USMNT resume adds credibility to the move. He featured in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, competing at a level that exposed him to high-pressure tournament football.
The deal is still pending medical and visa processes, which is standard procedure for late-window transactions involving non-EU players moving to England. Post-Brexit work permit rules require players to meet a points-based threshold, factoring in international caps, league quality, and other criteria. McGlynn’s USMNT appearances should help clear that bar.
McGlynn reportedly arrived in England around August 30, 2026, positioning himself to complete the medical and finalize paperwork before the window closes.