TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Transfer
FC Dallas announced on Wednesday that the club has transferred right back Reggie Cannon to Portuguese first-division side Boavista FC, giving the US men’s national team defender a chance to continue his progression in Europe.
The fee is reported to be around $3 million, and comes after MLSsoccer.com’s Tom Bogert reported last week that a deal was in place to send the 22-year-old to the Primeira Liga side.
“This club has given me so many amazing memories,” said Cannon in a statement. “Going from the Academy to the First Team, it’s really one of the best experiences I could have ever imagined. I’m really excited for this opportunity. I thank Luchi Gonzalez, I thank the club, I thank the staff, Oscar Pareja for giving me that first chance to play - everyone who has given me the opportunity to get to the next level.”
Cannon signed a Homegrown Player deal with FC Dallas ahead of the 2017 campaign, then burst onto the scene in 2018 upon seizing a starting role. He departs MLS with two goals and five assists in 67 matches, continuing his linear progression after spending the 2016 season at NCAA Division I program UCLA.
Cannon’s carved out a greater USMNT role under head coach Gregg Berhalter, earning 11 caps to date. Alongside Sergiño Dest (Ajax) and Antonee Robinson (Fulham), he’s one of several young American outside backs now competing in Europe’s top leagues. There's also the impending move for NYCFC's Joe Scally, who's at the club until January 2021 before heading to Borussia Monchengladbach.
“We’re so proud of what Reggie Cannon has accomplished during his FC Dallas career,” said FC Dallas president Dan Hunt. “He’s gone from Academy to starting for the first team and representing his country for the U.S. Men’s National Team. Reggie is the epitome of what we’re trying to accomplish here at FC Dallas.”
The move comes after Cannon signed a four-year contract extension with FC Dallas last March. That deal was signed with an eye towards Europe, knowing Cannon faced no shortage of overseas suitors.
It’s also the latest academy-related feather in FCD’s cap, as they’ve developed one of the premier youth systems in MLS. They previously transferred center back Chris Richards to Bayern Munich, and MLS midfielders like Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids) and Victor Ulloa (Inter Miami) got their start as Homegrowns. USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie, who recently secured a blockbuster loan move to Juventus, also developed in the FC Dallas youth ranks before signing with Schalke 04 in Germany.
Cannon’s made clear his intentions of playing overseas, and now he’ll get his chance at Boavista FC. They're getting an ever-confident player who's previously said he wants to be the best right back in the world.
“I coached Reggie in the Academy and coached him with the First Team,” said FC Dallas head coach Luchi Gonzalez. “He’s gone through our process and has earned this. It’s a great move for him and for the club.”
