Why Malik Tillman's Bayer Leverkusen move is a big risk worth taking

Malik Tillman heading the ball during the 2025 Gold Cup Final | Ron Jenkins/USSF/GettyImagesAfter a breakout season with PSV Eindhoven and a stellar Gold Cup, USMNT starlet Malik Tillman is on the move. Tillman has officially signed with German club Bayer Leverkusen for a club record fee of close to $41 million. The move to a club that won the Bundesliga two years ago and was the runner-up to Bayern Munich this past season makes Tillman one of the highest-profile American players.

Tillman’s move to a bigger club shouldn’t come as a surprise. He was a key figure in leading PSV to the Eredivisie title this past season, scoring 12 goals (second most on the team) in 26 matches. Tillman then…