Teenage USMNT prospect Bryan Reynolds joining Italian club A.S. Roma

FRISCO, Texas – FC Dallas has reached an agreement with A.S. Roma for Homegrown defender Bryan Reynolds for a franchise-record fee, the club announced today. Reynolds will join Roma on a six-month loan before completing a permanent transfer.

“We couldn’t be happier for Bryan and his family,” said FC Dallas President Dan Hunt. “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, 19, signed with FC Dallas as the 17th Homegrown in club history on Nov. 22, 2016 and became the youngest to ever sign with the club at 15 years and 147 days old. He appeared in 29 matches for FC Dallas since making his MLS debut in the final minute of a 1-1 draw against Los Angeles FC on May 19, 2019. He recorded four assists, including three during the 2020 season.

“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.”

Reynolds, nicknamed “Big Bad Bryan”, was named Defensive Player of the Year, Breakout Player of the Year and FC Dallas Most Valuable Player following his breakout season with the club in 2020. Reynolds stepped into the starting right back role after the departure of Homegrown Reggie Cannon and started in 14 of the club’s 22 regular season matches. After only 112 MLS career minutes under his belt in 2019, Reynolds led the FC Dallas Homegrowns in minutes played with 1,267 during the 2020 campaign. He was also ranked No. 18 in MLSsoccer.com’s annual 22 Under 22 list in 2020.

The Fort Worth native appeared in 12 matches for FC Dallas’ USL League One side North Texas Soccer Club in 2019 and scored his first professional goal on Aug. 27. He was also part of the North Texas SC team that defeated Greenville Triumph SC, 1-0, on Oct. 19 to win the USL League One Final in the inaugural season.

“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 was part of the FC Dallas Under-16 Academy team that won the 2015-16 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Championship. He has been called up to various U.S. Youth National Team camps and was the youngest player on the U.S. U-17 team during the Concacaf Championship in 2017. Reynolds represented the United States in the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India, where he played the final nine minutes in the 4-1 loss quarterfinals match against England. Reynolds was also part of the U-18 National Team that won the 2018 Vaclav Jezek Tournament. In January of 2021, Reynolds was one of three FC Dallas Homegrowns called into the U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team Camp at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

Reynolds joins A.S. Roma, three-time Italian Seria A champions and nine-time winners of the Coppa Italia. Roma currently sits in third place in the 2020-2021 Seria A standings and have qualified for the UEFA Europa League knockout phase.

Bryan Reynolds

Connect with Bryan: Instagram
Position: Defender
DOB: June 28, 2001 (19)
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Birthplace: Fort Worth, Texas
Height: 6-3
Weight: 170
Nationality: United States

Transaction: FC Dallas reaches agreement with A.S. Roma for defender Bryan Reynolds. Reynolds will join Roma for a six-month loan before completing a permanent transfer.