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John Anthony Brooks completes move from Hertha to Wolfsburg

By Adam Stocker

MUNICH, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 28: John Brooks of Berlin runs with the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Herha BSC Berlin at Allianz Arena on November 28, 2015 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 28: John Brooks of Berlin runs with the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Herha BSC Berlin at Allianz Arena on November 28, 2015 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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USMNT center-back John Brooks completed a move from Hertha Berlin to Wolfsburg on Wednesday.

USMNT star John Anthony Brooks officially completed a transfer from Hertha Berlin to Wolfsburg on Wednesday. The move will reportedly cost Wolfsburg around $20 million. The transfer makes the 24-year-old the most expensive American player in history. The previous record was held by Jozy Altidore, who moved from AZ Alkmaar to Sunderland for $13 million.

Brooks was born in Berlin and had spent his entire career with Hertha before making the move. Across all competitions, Brooks made 131 appearances for the club. However, Brooks struggled with injuries throughout the 2016-17 season, missing seven games with various injuries. Overall, Brooks appeared in 24 games and scored two goals. After an inconsistent season, Brooks became the target of the Berlin media. However, he was also praised for his performances, with one of the most eye-catching coming in a draw with Bayern Munich.

https://twitter.com/Bundesliga_EN/status/869890801203073024

Prior to last season, Hertha turned down an offer from Watford for Brooks. The move is curious for both Brooks and Berlin, who qualified for the Europa League after finishing sixth in the Bundesliga. Wolfsburg finished 16th in the Bundesliga but were able to stay in Germany’s top league after winning the relegation playoff against local rival Eintracht Braunschweig.

The move to Wolfsburg will likely see Brooks get a sizable pay raise as part of his new contract that runs through 2022. Under manager Andries Jonker, Brooks will likely form a center-back pairing with Dutch international Jeffrey Bruma. Wolfsburg signed the 24-year-old last season from PSV.

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At the international level, Brooks has made 30 appearances for the United States, scoring three goals. Brooks was called up by Bruce Arena to the USMNT for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago, where he will be expected to start. The U.S. are currently fourth in the Hex, six points behind leaders Mexico.

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