USMNT's Sebastian Berhalter reportedly close to transfer to Middlesbrough from Vancouver

U.S. men's national team midfielder Sebastian Berhalter is reportedly close to transferring to EFL Championship side Middlesbrough, according to The Athletic's Tom Bogert.

Berhalter has been with the Vancouver Whitecaps since 2022 and made 120 appearances and scored 14 goals with the club. The 25-year-old, who appeared in all five matches for the USMNT at the World Cup, was set to be out of a contract following the 2026 MLS season.

Middlesbrough will reportedly pay a $2 million transfer free to Vancouver, who reached the MLS Cup final and won the Canadian Championship last season. Berhalter, who is the son of former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter, was named to the MLS Best XI last season and is a two-time All-Star.

Berhalter will join good friend and former Columbus Crew teammate Aidan Morris at Middlesbrough. The 24-year-old Morris signed with the Championship side in June 2024.

Berhalter debuted for the USMNT last summer after Mauricio Pochettino was hired and has made 18 appearances internationally and scored two goals, including one against Türkiye during the group stage last month.

Middlesbrough has spent 15 of the past 16 seasons playing in the Championship. In 2025-26, they finished fifth in the table, earning a spot in the playoffs. They were defeated over two legs by Southampton, but it was later revealed a member of the Southampton staff had spied on a Middlesbrough training session. The EFL expelled Southampton from the playoff final, reinstating Middlesbrough to face Hull City.

With a place in the Premier League on the line, MIddlesbrough failed to defeat Hull City, losing 1-0 at Wembley Stadium.