United have acquired American midfielder Russell Canouse from German Bundesliga side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on a permanent transfer and signed him to a multi-year deal. Completion of the transfer is pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.
The 22-year-old Lancaster, PA, native started in the German side’s youth academy in 2011 and made his Bundesliga debut on March 12, 2016. After making 51 appearances for the reserve team, Canouse was put on loan in 2016 to 2. Bundesliga side Vfl Bochum. He made 20 appearances there in 2016, scoring one goal.
“Russell is a dominant holding midfielder with great talent and vision, especially as a young player,” Dave Kasper, United general manager and VP of soccer operations, said. “We’re pleased to acquire such an accomplished 22-year-old with years of European experience. He is a strong, physical presence who has an acute ability to dictate play.”
A versatile midfielder who can also play on the right side of defense, Canouse returns to the East Coast after seven years in Germany. He scored one goal in 2. Bundesliga last season and played at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Jamaica in 2015, captaining the side in the final four matches. Canouse was named to Tab Ramos’ U-20 roster for the World Cup in New Zealand, but had to be replaced after suffering an injury. While captaining Hoffenheim’s U-19 side in 2014, Canouse played a pivotal role in helping the youth side claim the U-19 German championship.
Russell Canouse
Position
: Midfielder
Birthplace
: Lancaster, PA
Country
: USA
Birthdate
: 06/11/1995
Age
: 22
Height
: 5’10”
Weight
: 159
Previous
Club
: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (Bundesliga) — On loan at Vfl Bochum
Status
: Domestic
Transaction: United acquire American midfielder Russell Canouse from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on a permanent transfer and signed him to a multi-year deal. Completion of the transfer is pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.
