DeAndre Yedlin Bio
DeAndre Roselle Yedlin (born July 9, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake. Primarily a right-back, Yedlin has also featured as a right wing-back and wide midfielder throughout his career. He is one of the most traveled American players of his generation, having played in Major League Soccer, the Premier League, the Turkish Süper Lig, and the U.S. national team across multiple World Cup cycles.
Early Life and Background
DeAndre Roselle Yedlin was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, to his mother, Rebecca Yedlin, who had him at a young age and is now a college faculty member. His father has never been part of his life, and he was raised largely by his maternal grandfather, Ira Nathan Yedlin, and step-grandmother, Vicki Walton. He has a younger sister named Jenea, who is three years his junior.
Yedlin began playing soccer at age four, learning the game by watching his uncle from the sideline. He attended O’Dea High School in Seattle and was part of Washington Youth Soccer’s State Olympic Development Program from 2006 to 2009. He also played youth soccer for Emerald City FC and Northwest Nationals before joining U.S. Soccer Development Academy club Crossfire Premier. He later moved to the Seattle Sounders FC youth academy for the 2010–11 season, where he was identified early as a player with elite speed and potential.
On February 8, 2011, Yedlin signed a letter of intent to play college soccer at the University of Akron under coach Caleb Porter. In his freshman year, he started 20 of 23 games for the Zips and was named to the College Soccer News Freshman All-American team after recording six assists. He scored his first collegiate goal on September 28, 2011, in a 3–1 victory over Ohio State. During his collegiate offseasons, Yedlin also played for Seattle Sounders FC U-23 in the Premier Development League and was named to the 2012 All-PDL First XI.
Path to Soccer
Yedlin’s path to professional soccer began to take shape at the University of Akron, where he developed under Caleb Porter alongside future professionals such as Wil Trapp, Darren Mattocks, Aodhan Quinn, and Scott Caldwell. His performances with the Zips and Sounders FC U-23 brought him to the attention of Major League Soccer scouts.
On January 11, 2013, after two seasons at Akron, Yedlin signed a homegrown contract with Seattle Sounders FC, becoming the club’s first-ever homegrown player. He made his professional debut on March 2, 2013, in a 1–0 home defeat to the Montreal Impact and was named to the MLS Team of the Week for his performance, becoming the first rookie to earn the honor in his professional debut. He scored his first professional goal for the club on March 12, 2013, in a 3–1 win against Tigres in the CONCACAF Champions League.
DeAndre Yedlin Career
Early Career (2013–2014)
Yedlin’s first two MLS seasons with Seattle Sounders FC established him as one of the most exciting young defenders in the league. He was named to the 2013 MLS All-Star team, becoming the first rookie selected to the All-Star team since Michael Parkhurst in 2005, and was ranked third among MLS players under the age of 24 by MLSSoccer.com that same year. In 2014, he was again named to the MLS All-Star team, this time starting in a 2–1 victory against FC Bayern Munich.
On the international stage, Yedlin earned his first call-up to the senior United States men’s national team on January 3, 2014, and made his debut on February 1, 2014, in a friendly against South Korea. Later that year, he was a surprise inclusion by U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann on the final 23-man roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he featured against Portugal, Germany, and Belgium. The New York Times called him a “breakout star” of the tournament.
Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland (2014–2016)
After his World Cup performances, Yedlin was transferred to Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur on August 13, 2014, signing a four-year contract. He remained with Seattle on loan before officially joining Tottenham in January 2015, training with the club for the first time on January 7, 2015. Yedlin made his Premier League debut on April 11, 2015, in a loss to Aston Villa.
On September 1, 2015, Yedlin was loaned to Sunderland for the 2015–16 season. He made his Sunderland debut on September 22, 2015, in a League Cup match against Manchester City, recording an assist in a 4–1 defeat. He started his first Premier League game for the club on October 3, 2015, against West Ham United. Yedlin was part of the United States squad that finished as runner-up at the 2015 CONCACAF Cup and started most matches at the 2016 Copa America Centenario.
Newcastle United Era (2016–2021)
On August 24, 2016, Yedlin moved to Newcastle United for £5 million on a five-year contract. He made his debut on August 27, 2016, as an 88th-minute substitute against Brighton and Hove Albion, and scored his first goal for the club on September 10, 2016, in a 2–0 victory against Derby County. He netted his first Premier League goal on September 1, 2018, in a 2–1 defeat at Manchester City.
At Newcastle, Yedlin became a consistent presence at right-back across multiple seasons in the Premier League and the Championship. He also continued his international career, starting at right back in the United States’ 1–2 loss to Trinidad and Tobago on October 10, 2017, which ended the U.S. bid to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Yedlin remained a regular under caretaker manager Dave Sarachan and later full-time manager Gregg Berhalter, captaining the national team in a March 2019 friendly against Chile.
Galatasaray Era (2021–2022)
On February 1, 2021, Yedlin joined Turkish side Galatasaray on a 2.5-year contract. On March 19, 2021, he scored his first goal for the club, his first since 2019, in a dramatic 3–4 home defeat to Çaykur Rizespor, a match in which he also conceded a penalty and was sent off. On January 26, 2022, his contract with Galatasaray was terminated by mutual consent. While at Galatasaray, Yedlin was part of the United States squad that won the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League.
Inter Miami Era (2022–2024)
Yedlin joined Inter Miami CF on February 2, 2022, on a four-year contract with an additional one-year option. Manager Phil Neville called the move “almost a DP signing” and praised Yedlin’s experience and leadership. Yedlin served as vice-captain of the Inter Miami squad that won the club’s first-ever trophy, the 2023 Leagues Cup, with a viral moment showing Lionel Messi offering the armband to Yedlin as they lifted the trophy together.
FC Cincinnati Era (2024–2025)
On March 4, 2024, Yedlin moved to FC Cincinnati. He explained that he and his wife were attracted to Cincinnati as a great place to raise a family, citing TQL Stadium as the best soccer-specific stadium in the United States. Yedlin was assigned the number 91 jersey in honor of his uncle.
Real Salt Lake Era (2025–Present)
In 2025, Yedlin joined Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake, where he continues to play as a defender. He brings veteran experience and international pedigree to the club as it builds its roster for the current MLS campaign.
Driving Style and Strengths
Yedlin is best known for his elite speed, quickness, and ability to attack the flank with overlapping runs and dangerous crosses. Early in his career he was regarded primarily as an offensive player, but over time he developed into a more complete defender, gaining comfort in one-on-one situations and positional play across different formations. His versatility allows him to play right-back, right wing-back, or wide midfielder, and he is recognized for his leadership, work rate, and experience at the highest club and international levels.
Notable Events and Milestones
Yedlin is the only U.S. men’s national team player to have appeared in both the 2014 and 2022 FIFA World Cups. He was part of the squad that won the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League, finished as runner-up at the 2015 CONCACAF Cup, and was a member of the Inter Miami team that won the 2023 Leagues Cup, the club’s first trophy. He was also the first rookie named to the MLS All-Star team since 2005.
DeAndre Yedlin Career Wins
Across his club and international career, Yedlin has collected major honors with the United States national team and at the club level in Major League Soccer. His most notable trophies include the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League and the 2023 Leagues Cup with Inter Miami.
Major League Soccer Highlights
Yedlin was a two-time MLS All-Star during his time at Seattle Sounders FC, in 2013 and 2014, and was the first homegrown signing in club history. With Inter Miami, he served as vice-captain when the club won its first trophy, the 2023 Leagues Cup.
Other Wins and Performances
Yedlin was named to the 2012 All-PDL First XI while playing for Seattle Sounders FC U-23 in the Premier Development League. At the international level, he was a 2021 CONCACAF Nations League winner with the United States and a 2015 CONCACAF Cup runner-up.
DeAndre Yedlin Family
Family Background and Heritage
Yedlin is one-quarter Black, one-quarter Native American, and half Latvian Jewish on his mother’s side. He was raised primarily by his maternal grandfather, Ira Nathan Yedlin, and step-grandmother, Vicki Walton, and shares a close bond with his mother, Rebecca Yedlin, a college faculty member.
Personal Life
Yedlin is married, and he and his wife cited family considerations as a key reason for their move to Cincinnati in 2024. During the 2020 racial unrest in the United States, Yedlin was an outspoken supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, reflecting on the experiences of his grandparents who lived under the Jim Crow system. In May 2021, he joined the ownership group of USL Championship club San Diego Loyal SC.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, DeAndre Roselle Yedlin plays as a defender for Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake after joining the club following his spell at FC Cincinnati. The move gives him a fresh start in the Western Conference, where his experience is expected to provide stability and leadership in the back line.
Throughout his career, Yedlin has been valued for his speed, defensive growth, and ability to contribute in multiple positions. His veteran presence on a Real Salt Lake squad looking to climb the standings adds tactical flexibility to the team’s options at right-back and wing-back.
As the 2025 MLS season unfolds, Yedlin will aim to maintain a regular role and continue building on the longevity that has defined his professional journey from Seattle Sounders FC homegrown player to a globe-trotting defender.