Transfer Tracker

Official: FC Dallas defender Bryan Reynolds transfers to AS Roma

Bryan Reynolds - FC Dallas - close up

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Transfer


FC Dallas have transferred Homegrown right back Bryan Reynolds to AS Roma for a club-record fee, the club announced Monday. The deal is a loan with an obligation to make the transfer permanent this summer. 


Reynolds, 19, signed a Homegrown deal with Dallas ahead of the 2017 season and made his MLS debut in 2019. He started 14 regular season games for the club in 2020 and earned a call-up to the US U-23 national team camp this month. He was capped regularly at various youth national team levels. 


“We couldn’t be happier for Bryan and his family,” FC Dallas President Dan Hunt said in a club statement. “Bryan is a true testament to the Academy process. From playing on fields in Fort Worth as a child to competing professionally for us in Frisco and now in Italy, he has inspired a generation of North Texas soccer players with the idea of what’s possible through a pathway at FC Dallas.”


Reynolds was an instant revelation for Dallas after Reggie Cannon was transferred to Boavista in September, stepping in seamlessly at his new position and catching the eye of Europe's biggest clubs. He is lauded for his athletic ability as well as attacking output after featuring as a winger his entire youth career. 


“I love this game so much and I’m excited for my future,” said Reynolds. “I grew up with FC Dallas and wouldn’t be where I am if I didn’t have the opportunity with the club. I’m going to fight and give everything to Roma like I did here. I would like to thank the fans and FC Dallas for their support. I’m just super excited for my future and I’m going to learn Italian as fast as possible.”


Roma won the race to sign Reynolds, fending off interest from the likes of Juventus, Club Brugge, AC Milan and many others. Roma currently sit third in Serie A and are home to stars like Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, among others. They are currently in the Round of 32 in the Europa League as well. 


When he debuts for the club, Reynolds will be only the second-ever American to play for Roma, following Michael Bradley


“We’re always very proud when there’s interest in our players from one of the biggest clubs in Europe,” said FC Dallas Technical Director André Zanotta. “Bryan had an amazing season with us after waiting patiently for his chance. We had high expectations and he exceeded all of them. At his age, with all his physical, technical and tactical abilities, we knew he’d get attention from clubs in Europe and we are very proud that we could come to an agreement with A.S. Roma so he can continue his career with such a historic club.”


Reynolds follows Cannon, as well as academy standouts Chris Richards (Bayern Munich) and Weston McKennie (Juventus) to make a European roster after coming up through the FC Dallas development system. 


He is also the latest Homegrown star in MLS to head to Europe this winter, following former Philadelphia Union pair Brenden Aaronson (RB Salzburg) and Mark McKenzie (KRC Genk) as well as NYCFC academy graduate Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach).