Bobby Wood has earned a move up to the big leagues.
On Sunday it was announced that Wood, 23, had signed a four-year contract with Bundesliga outfit Hamburg.
[ MORE: Howard’s emotional farewell ]
The Hawaiian born striker has had a hugely impressive season for Union Berlin, scoring 17 goals in 30 appearances in the second-tier of German soccer.
Wood has seen his form in 2. Bundesliga earn him plenty more minutes in the U.S. national team setup recently, and he’s impressed with his pacey and precise forward play.
Speaking to Hamburg’s website, Wood believes he can grow and help one of the Bundesliga’s sleeping giants (HSN finished 10th this season and 16th in the two previous seasons) return to the upper echelons of Germany’s top-flight.
With news of Jozy Altidore going down injured for Toronto FC on Saturday, Wood may be the USMNT’s go-to guy up top this summer at the 2016 Copa America Centenario.
Jurgen Klinsmann rates him, as do his fellow teammates, and Wood has scored some huge goals over the past 12 months with the winners against the Netherlands and Germany in friendlies, plus a goal against Mexico in the CONCACAF Cup. In total he has four goals in 16 appearances for the U.S. and this summer we could see him become a bonafide starter for the USMNT.
After a nomadic career throughout Germany, Wood has finally landed at a club where he can make a big impact in the Bundesliga and continue his journey. On the face of things this move seems like good news for the U.S. national team and for Wood.