HARRISON, N.J. — On Thursday, defender John Tolkin finalized his move from Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls to Holstein Kiel in the German Bundesliga. This transfer marks a significant step for the 22-year-old, who made his debut in MLS in 2021 and has since played 114 matches, contributing seven goals and 12 assists, with 107 of those appearances as a starter.

Tolkin represented the U.S. in all four games during last year’s Paris Olympics, which primarily featured under-23 athletes, showcasing his skills on an international platform. He also recently earned his first cap for the U.S. national team in 2023, appearing in four matches, although these games were played when several key players were unavailable. This week, he departed from the American training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to complete the transfer process.

The U.S. national team seems to lack depth at the left-back position behind the established starter Antonee Robinson. Once Sergiño Dest returns from his rehabilitation following a torn ACL, he and Joe Scally are likely to be the preferred secondary options. Tolkin’s addition brings depth to the squad, joining candidates such as George Bello, Sam Vines, and Caleb Wiley for the backup role.

Holstein Kiel has been newly promoted to the Bundesliga but currently finds itself in a precarious position, sitting 17th out of 18 teams with a record of three wins, 12 losses, and two draws—a situation that puts them at risk of relegation.