EFL Championship side Derby County confirmed their signing of USA men’s national team striker Patrick Agyemang last night.
Agyemang most recently appeared at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, where the USMNT fell in the final to Mexico. However, the striker netted twice in five appearances during his first major tournament with the national team.
Who is USMNT’s Patrick Agyemang?
A 6’4 target man with solid one-touch finishing and the ability to hold off defenders on the turn, Agyemang has a strong profile for a Championship center forward.
Agyemang’s journey to professional football was not a simple one. The 24-year-old began his career playing at the United States Division III college level in 2019 with Eastern Connecticut University, where he scored 21 goals in 20 appearances for the school in his home state.
His success at that level earned him attention from more renowned universities, and he went on to play at the Division 1 level with the University of Rhode Island, where he notched 19 goals and 12 assists in 39 appearances.
In 2022, Agyemang was selected 12th overall in the MLS Draft by Charlotte FC. He spent a brief spell on loan with MLS Next side Crown Legacy FC before cementing himself in the Charlotte FC first team, where Agyemang performed solidly in his first two years of professional football, but flourished in 2025.
Along with his 8 goals and 2 assists, the striker averaged 2.8 shot-creating actions per 90, placing him in the 84th percentile amongst Men’s Next 14 Competitions, according to Opta Statistics. His 1.97 progressive carries per 90 and 1.18 successful take-ons put him in the 90th and 88th percentile, respectively.
How Does He Fit in at Derby County?
After earning promotion back to the EFL Championship in 2024, Derby County struggled to maintain that status last season. Finishing in 19th place, just one point off the bottom 3, staying up on the final day of the season.
Derby went through three different permanent managers last campaign. After Paul Warne and Matthew Hamshaw both lost their jobs mid-season, the club appointed Blackburn manager John Eustace in February.
Eustace managed to keep the side up, but saw his side’s 7-point gap to the relegation zone in February drop to just 1 point by the end of the season.
Derby lacked a prolific striker last campaign. Top scorer Jerry Yates netted 10 goals in 42 appearances, but was only on loan from Swansea City, where he returned in May.
Their second top scorer was club Player of the Season Ebou Adams, who plays in central midfield.
Derby need a regular number nine if they are to improve on their 19th-place finish from last campaign, and Patrick Agyemang has the opportunity to further both his career and the club’s prospects with this move to England.
