After years of success with the club after coming through the New York Red Bulls academy, left back John Tolkin is on the move to Holstein Kiel in the Bundesliga. Tolkin helped lead the Red Bulls to an appearance in the MLS Cup last season while also being a key part of the United States men’s u-23 team that went to the Paris Olympics. But after 114 appearances for the Red Bulls in all competitions during his career, the 22-year-old is embarking on a risky new adventure, and it is a good thing he is.
Even after defeating Dortmund, Holstein Kiel are 17th in the Bundesliga, only off the bottom of the league via goal difference and in real danger of relegation. They see Tolkin as a piece of the puzzle of improving a defense that has allowed a league-high 43 goals, hence them spending a club record €2.5 million to secure Tolkin’s services. But, it’s also a move that could very well end with Tolkin playing in the 2. Bundesliga with his future up in the air similar to George Bello.
Bello left Atlanta United in 2022 to join an Arminia Bielefeld side struggling to stay up in the Bundesliga before eventually getting relegated. When he left Major League Soccer, Bello was on the fringes of the USMNT but now he’s in Austria having taken a step back league-wise wise and it’s an opportunity for other players like Tolkin.
Ricardo Pepi is another example in how a move to a relegation-threatened squad can go…
