PSV and FC Barcelona have reached agreement on the transfer of 22-year-old defender Sergiño Dest on a season-long loan with an option to make the move permanent. The U.S international full-back will join the senior squad immediately.
Dest made his debut for ‘The Stars and Stripes’, at the age of 18, although he could also have chosen to represent the Netherlands, because of his dual nationality. He has played 26 matches for the US national team and won two CONCACAF Nations League titles. He will join up at PSV with Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi, two teammates of the US team.
Sergiño Gianni Dest is by no means a stranger to the Dutch Eredivisie. The right back rose through the youth ranks at Ajax before graduating to the senior squad and featuring in 23 league matches. He moved to FC Barcelona on 1 October 2020 and won the Copa del Rey in his first season in Spain. Sergiño joined AC Milan on loan last season.
More experience
“PSV were in touch with me every day and expressed a keen desire to get me on board, which was a good feeling”, said Sergiño after putting pen to paper on his contract. “And on top of that, I like the style of football they play at PSV. I think it suits me very well. I return to the Netherlands. I’m still the same player but I’ve gained a lot of experience and I’ve hopefully acquired a higher efficiency. I can’t wait to make my debut.”
As fit as a fiddle
PSV Director of Football Earnest Stewart is just as excited about the transfer as the player himself. “Sergiño Dest was keen to join us, which we obviously liked. He is a very skillful and creative defender who can help the team with his explosive power and attacking intentions.” Stewart expects that PSV’s latest summer signing will soon show his skills on the pitch as he took part in FC Barcelona pre-season campaign. “He is as fit as a fiddle!”.
