Reigning Portuguese league champions Benfica have signed USMNT talent Joshua Wynder in a USL Championship record deal from Louisville City.

The news was announced by Louisville City’s official Social Media platforms earlier today, confirming the $1.2m move had gone through.

History for one of Louisville’s own 👏

We've agreed to a transfer with @SLBenfica making @WynderJoshua the first USL Championship player to command a seven-figure fee: https://t.co/w7WNx60yAn pic.twitter.com/kKVfbjmHSe

— Louisville City FC (@loucityfc) June 8, 2023

USMNT prospect set to move to the Portuguese capital

Wynder’s transfer becomes the first move involving a USL Championship to ever command a seven-figure fee. The 18-year-old is set to move to Lisbon this summer and will have the chance of playing in the Champions League next season following the Eagles’ record 38th Portuguese title success this season, their first since 2019.

Louisville will receive 20% of any future transfer for center-back Wynder, though Benfica can avoid that clause if it pays the USL club $500,000 before the end of 2025.

Speaking to ESPN, the teenager said of the move, “I definitely still pinch myself sometimes because ever since I was young, I’ve been watching players in Europe and being like, ‘That’s where I want to be’. Now for it to come true, it’s crazy.”