Ex Spurs and Newcastle United star financial pawn in unexpected transfer

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United star DeAndre Yedlin has completed an unexpected transfer from Inter Miami to FC Cincinnati in the MLS. The 30-year-old was the club's vice captain and had played in all three of Inter Miami's opening matches of the MLS season.

The move comes with a financial motive for the club, which currently has Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets on its books. Inter Miami today confirmed that it would gain 'important roster flexibility' and $172,799 in 2024 General Allocation Money through the deal.

Sporting Director Chris Henderson said: “DeAndre has been a leader for us on and off the field, and we’re very thankful for everything he has done for Inter Miami. I’ve known him since his academy days in Seattle, and have been proud to see his success here, including helping the team lift its first trophy.

“This trade gives us the flexibility to continue building our roster. Our ambitions remain high and we will look to use the space created by this move to improve our squad as we aim to compete for titles.”

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Yedlin arrived at Inter Miami at the start of the 2022 MLS season and went on to make 82 appearances for the club. The defender was signed by Tottenham Hotspur in 2014 after a breakthrough World Cup campaign for the United States.

Yedlin only made one competitive appearance for Spurs before joining Newcastle United in 2016, where he made 125 appearances for the Magpies and was part of the Championship-winning side in 2017.

The star had been a major coup and landmark signing for David Beckham's Inter Miami in February 2022 but has since been eclipsed by the star signings of Suarez and Messi. The Daily Mail reports that Miami will see $683,000 made available on their current salary cap with some $855,000 freed to use on any incomings.