Inter Miami recently announced the signing of accomplished U.S. Men’s National Team defender DeAndre Yedlin. The 28-year-old right back is set to arrive in South Florida this week, joining the team ahead of the 2022 MLS season.
Ahead of his arrival, Yedlin expressed excitement for this new chapter in his career, citing the reasons Inter Miami was the right fit for him amid a number of opportunities.
“I’m incredibly excited to join the team. When Chris Henderson spoke to my agent and said it was a possibility, it was an immediate yes on my side. It’s an exciting project, to work with Phil Neville is incredible, and I’m incredibly excited to get back to MLS as well, I know it’s grown so much since I’ve been gone. It’s a great challenge and that’s what I look forward to, I’m very excited,” said Yedlin.
The right back has found significant success in his career thus far, winning titles at the club and international levels, including the Concacaf Nations League, Supporters’ Shield, U.S. Open Cup and EFL Championship; he also was named an MLS All-Star in one of his two previous seasons in MLS. Despite a lengthy list of accolades, Yedlin is still looking to add even more to his trophy cabinet with Inter Miami.
“I want to win everything with the club. If that’s not your goal as a player then you’re not in it for the right reasons. I want to win. This club is one of those that has international attention, so it’s important that the club wins and consistently does well. That’s what I want to help this club achieve. I want to win championships, I want to win U.S. Open Cups, I want to win Champions Leagues. That’s the main focus: to win, to keep improving, to help the younger guys, and to keep pushing forward.”
The Seattle native began his career with the Sounders, where then Seattle Technical Director and current Inter Miami CSO & Sporting Director Chris Henderson signed him as the club’s first Homegrown Player. Yedlin cited a belief in Henderson’s ability to lead the club and their strong working relationship as factors in his decision to join the club.
“I’ve known Chris for quite some time now. His brother (Sean Henderson) was actually my youth coach when I was younger, so we’ve always had a great relationship and then he became the Technical Director when I was just coming into Seattle as a professional. We’ve known each other for quite a long time so it’s fitting that he ended up in Miami when I was looking at coming back to the league. I’m really excited to get to work with him again and very grateful to him for this opportunity.”
Yedlin also expressed significant optimism for his future with Inter Miami, citing the club’s ambition as well as its hungry young group of players.
“It’s a great project with young players, and I’ve always liked working with young players. They put their head down, they go, they’re hard working and have no egos, and just do the work that they need to do. To be able to play with players like that was really exciting to me. I’m excited to be a leader on the team and help the club achieve what it wants to achieve, and help the fans to be able to see that.”
Yedlin brings significant experience both domestically and abroad, having featured in the United States, England and Turkey. He shared what he believes those experiences have instilled in him, as well as what fans will see from him both on and off the field.
“I think I bring a lot of experience, I’ve been away overseas for some time now. I’ll bring that with me to help out some of the younger players. Chris talked to me about how energetic the team was, it’s obviously a bit younger and more dynamic, and that’s how I love to play. I love playing with players like that, I love playing with players who work hard and get down to the gritty work. That’s how I would classify myself as a player as well, so I think I’ll fit in quite nicely with the team.”
With the 2022 season on the horizon, Yedlin shared a message for Inter Miami fans excited by his arrival.
“I’m excited to play in front of the fans, I know South Florida gets jumping. I haven’t been able to go to a game yet, but I’ve definitely watched videos and I can’t wait to get in front of these fans and give my all for them and the city, as well as my family. Hopefully we achieve great things, they deserve it. We’re going to do what we can and we’re going to give it our all to make sure that they’re rewarded. Hopefully they’ll show out in numbers and support us, like I know they will.”
Yedlin is currently in the U.S. Men’s National Team camp for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Tune in to FS1, Univision or TUDN tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET to see the team take on Honduras.
