US forward Ricardo Pepi signs for PSV Eindhoven on 5-year deal

United States forward Ricardo Pepi signed for PSV Eindhoven on Friday, staying in Dutch league where he impressed last season.

PSV said 20-year-old Pepi signed a five-year contract with club which finished runner-up in Eredivisie last season.

deal could keep Pepi in Eindhoven until 2026 World Cup that U.S. will co-host with Cana and Mexico.

Pepi is familiar with league after scoring 12 times for Groningen, which was relegated, while on loan from German top-tier club Augsburg.

“Ricardo possesses qualities we look for in an attacker,” said PSV technical director Earnie Stewart, former U.S. international. “He has proven to be a goal scorer in multiple positions, and he works extremely hard for it.”

transfer fee PSV will pay Augsburg was not stated. German media reported fee was about 9 million euros ($10 million).

Pepi moved to Bundesliga in January 2022 after impressing with FC Dallas in Major League Soccer though he struggled at Augsburg.

Pepi has scored seven goals in 16 games for U.S. national team but was not selected for 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Americans were eliminated in round of 16 by Nerlands.

PSV will play in Champions League qualifying rounds next month needing to beat two opponents to reach lucrative group stage.