It's been a pretty eventful 24 hours for Joe Scally. In addition to ringing in a new year, the young fullback celebrated his 18th birthday on Dec. 31, which also meant his move from New York City FC to Borussia Mönchengladbach in the German Bundesliga could become official.
Last day of 2020: Turn 18 🎈
— Gladbach (@borussia_en) December 31, 2020
First day of 2021: Officially a Foal 🐎💚
Happy birthday, @jjscally_10! 🎉 See you soon 😉#DieFohlen pic.twitter.com/Ip4yIxv5Tj
Scally signed with Gladbach in Nov. 2019 with NYCFC announcing at the time the transfer fee was the highest paid for a 16-year-old MLS player in league history. With potential bonuses, the seven-figure transfer fee could rise significantly to become one of the highest transfer fees received for a MLS player being transferred to a European club. NYCFC will also receive a sell-on percentage if Scally is sold in the future. At the time, ESPN reported the initial fee was around $2 million.
Scally joined NYCFC on a Homegrown deal in 2018 and competed for the U.S. U-15 and U-17 national teams, playing in the U-17 World Cup. He made four appearances for NYCFC — all in 2020 — including his first MLS start against the New England Revolution in September.
Gladbach manager Marcus Rose said Scally will arrive in Germany Monday and, following a medical, "he will have the chance to showcase himself in first-team training."
🎙️ #Rose: "@jjscally_10 is due to arrive on Monday. He will undergo all the necessary medical examinations and then he will have the chance to showcase himself in first-team training."#DieFohlen #DSCBMG pic.twitter.com/f0FMX7o705
— Gladbach (@borussia_en) December 31, 2020
Gladbach are currently eighth in the Bundesliga table, four points behind fifth-place Dortmund, home to another NYCFC academy grad in Gio Reyna.
