On Tuesday, USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen confirmed that he will not be returning to Manchester City for the upcoming season. The 25-year-old had been on loan with the English Premier League club since 2019, but will now be returning to the United States.
Steffen joined Manchester City from Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew in 2019, and was immediately loaned out to German Bundesliga side Fortuna Dusseldorf. He made 24 appearances for the German side before returning to Manchester City in 2020.
Steffen had been expected to remain with Manchester City for the 2021-22 season, but the club has decided to move in a different direction. Steffen was reportedly offered a contract extension, but he chose to return to the United States instead.
The move comes as a surprise to many, as Steffen had been highly rated by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Guardiola had previously praised Steffen’s ability and had even compared him to former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
Steffen’s decision to return to the United States could be seen as a sign of his ambition to become the USMNT’s first-choice goalkeeper. With current USMNT goalkeeper Brad Guzan nearing the end of his career, Steffen could be in line to become the team’s number one.
It remains to be seen where Steffen will end up next, but it is clear that he has a bright future ahead of him. His decision to return to the United States is a sign of his ambition and determination to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
