Malik Tillman’s rise has been steady-but this summer, it hit turbo.
After a standout season with PSV Eindhoven that saw him rack up 16 goals, five assists, and a league title, the U.S. international has completed a 35 million ($40.9 million) move to Bayer Leverkusen, replacing Florian Wirtz, who departed for Liverpool in a blockbuster transfer. The fee sets a new club record for Leverkusen and places Tillman just behind Christian Pulisic in the all-time list of most expensive American players.
Leverkusen aren’t just making a splash-they’re building something serious. With Erik ten Hag now at the helm following Xabi Alonso’s exit to Real Madrid, the 23-year-old Tillman slots into a team still hungry after narrowly missing out on back-to-back Bundesliga titles.
A New Chapter for Tillman and U.S. Soccer
Record fee. Bigger stage. Eyes on 2026. “We’ve gained another strong and very dangerous attacking player,” said sporting director Simon Rolfes. “Malik is an absolute top signing for us.”
It’s a full-circle moment of sorts. Tillman came through the ranks at Bayern Munich, but minutes were hard to come by. A loan to Rangers during the 2022-23 season reignited his spark. A switch to PSV followed, and the rest is history: 54 league appearances, 21 goals, and silverware to show for it.
He’s also become a reliable presence for the USMNT, logging 25 caps and scoring three times during the team’s run to the Gold Cup final earlier this summer. His versatility-able to play as a No. 8 or No. 10-makes him a key figure for Gregg Berhalter as the U.S. prepares for a home World Cup in 2026.
Tillman has signed a deal through 2030, and he’s already setting his sights high. “Leverkusen has grown a lot in the past few years,” he said. “This is the kind of club where you come to win something.”
With a bigger spotlight, bigger expectations, and a growing role in the USMNT midfield, Tillman’s time is now.
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