sport news European target Cade Cowell eyes move abroad amid interest from top leagues trends now
Earlier in his Earthquakes career, an overeager Cade Cowell sustained an injury in the weight room.
'We had to actually back him off, because he had a small stress fracture,' Earthquakes GM Chris Leitch told DailyMail.com.
While the injury hasn't seemed to linger into the present, the mindset has.
Cowell, at 19, is a full US international and 2021 MLS All-Star, but wants more challenges and responsibility on his plate - domestically, and soon enough, abroad.
'He gets done with his last national team camp [in January] - for me he was the best player on the field against Serbia - and his first comment to me was, "I cant wait to get going in preseason,"' Leitch said.
Cade Cowell is one of MLS' biggest rising stars and was named an All-Star while in his teens
Cowell (pictured with his girlfriend Lysaida), still only 19, is eyeing a big move to Europe
Cade Cowell is seen in his second national team appearance vs. Serbia on January 25
'And he wasn't sitting there basking in that success.'
While Cowell wasn't selected for the USMNT's Nations League squad last Wednesday, that doesn't diminish the attacker's high stock.
After winning his first USA cap in December 2021, he made another appearance for the Stars and Stripes in January. And teams are taking notice of the physical winger.
Leitch confirmed to DailyMail.com that there was 'big boy interest' in Cowell from 'top teams in top five leagues,' and a report from 90Min last month named Bayern Munich, Newcastle, AC Milan and Juventus as those interested.
'Honestly, I'm ready. I feel like I've done just about enough, and done well enough in the league to feel like I'm ready for whenever the next European team wants to pick me up,' he said.
'I feel like I'm more than ready to go over there, and obviously I have a lot more to do here too in the time being. But whenever that move comes I'm more than ready to go.'
Leitch, too, would be happy to see him take the next step, and said he'd 'celebrate' if and when Cowell moves for a bigger club.
Chris Leitch said he would 'celebrate' if and when Cowell moves to a big club in Europe
Cowell was named an MLS All-Star in 2021 and is already attracting interest from abroad
'I don't look at it as a threat at all,' he said. 'There'd be something wrong if teams weren't coming after him and I wasn't fielding phone calls and offers. I think it's natural, and I think there's a lot of equity in it if I'm honest. With a young man that has some elite parts of his profile, I'm not surprised at all that there's gonna be interest in him.'
For now, the young winger is with the Earthquakes, and will try to help San Jose make the playoffs for the first time in three years.
And while Cowell could soon be the next high-priced MLS export, it hasn't all been smooth sailing for the teenager - who's been in pro locker rooms since he was 15.
After bursting on the scene with
