Dest completes PSV move after all, leaving Barcelona on free transfer

Sergiño Dest and PSV just learned about the values of patience.

The U.S. men’s national team fullback has joined the Dutch champions on a free transfer, with Barcelona letting the 23-year-old walk now rather than letting him leave as a free agent next year.

Barça will, however, receive an unspecified percentage of any transfer fee PSV might get for Dest — who signed a four-year deal on Saturday — down the road.

“To start with, PSV believes in me and I am greatly appreciated here,” said Dest in a club release announcing the deal. “I have come to know the club as incredibly warm, like I have never experienced anywhere else. These are important aspects for someone in my situation and give me confidence that I can rehabilitate well here.”

Dest tore his ACL in late April while on loan with PSV, with the injury initially appearing to complicate plans to sign him. The club was said to have a €10 million transfer clause in Dest’s loan contract, but — likely over the fact that he’d be out for the first half of this coming season — reportedly told Barcelona that the price was too high .

Nonetheless, PSV managed to complete a deal with Barça that will get the USMNT right back into a good club situation going forward.

“We had a good discussion about it internally, but Sergiño convinced us so much last season that we absolutely did not want to pass up the opportunity to take over from him permanently,” said PSV director of football Earnie Stewart. “He has so many qualities. The new situation does not change that.”

Dest played in 37 competitive matches for PSV, helping the club win its 25th Eredivisie title and advance to the Champions League knockout rounds for the first time in nine years.

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