DeAndre Yedlin Bio
DeAndre Roselle Yedlin (born July 9, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake. Primarily a right-back, Yedlin has also featured as a right wing-back and wide midfielder throughout his career. Standing 5 feet 7 inches tall, Yedlin has built a reputation as a quick, attack-minded defender whose speed and crossing ability have made him a fixture at both club and international levels.
Yedlin first gained national attention as a young homegrown talent with Seattle Sounders FC before moving to Europe, where he played in the English Premier League and the Turkish Süper Lig. He returned to Major League Soccer in 2022 and has since turned out for Inter Miami, FC Cincinnati, and Real Salt Lake. Internationally, he is one of the most experienced American defenders of his generation.
Early Life and Background
DeAndre Roselle Yedlin was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. He began playing soccer at the age of four, learning the game by watching his uncle from the sideline. Yedlin attended O’Dea High School in Seattle, where he played on the school’s soccer team, and was part of Washington Youth Soccer’s State Olympic Development Program from 2006 to 2009.
Yedlin also played youth soccer for Emerald City FC and Northwest Nationals before moving to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy club Crossfire Premier. He stayed in the Development Academy but joined the Seattle Sounders FC youth setup for the 2010-11 season. Seattle Sounders youth director Darren Sawatzky first saw Yedlin play at age 11 and later described him as an offensive player who was tricky, had explosiveness, and could run for days.
On February 8, 2011, Yedlin signed a letter of intent to play college soccer at the University of Akron under head coach Caleb Porter. In his first year with the Akron Zips, he started 20 of his 23 games and scored his first collegiate goal on September 28, 2011, in a 3-1 victory over Ohio State. He finished the year with six assists and was named to the College Soccer News Freshman All-American team, and he added six more assists in his second season.
Path to Soccer
Yedlin’s path to professional soccer ran directly through Seattle’s youth system. He trained with Crossfire Premier and the Seattle Sounders FC academy while also starring for O’Dea High School, where he gained exposure against top regional competition. His Development Academy experience helped him earn a scholarship to the University of Akron, widely regarded as one of the country’s top college soccer programs.
During his collegiate offseasons, Yedlin played for Seattle Sounders FC U-23 in the Premier Development League. He was named to the 2012 All-PDL First XI for his performances, signaling his readiness for the professional ranks. On January 11, 2013, after two seasons at Akron, Yedlin signed with Seattle Sounders FC as the club’s first homegrown player, completing a rapid rise from local youth soccer to Major League Soccer.
DeAndre Yedlin Career
Early Career (2013-2014)
Yedlin made his professional debut on March 2, 2013, in a 1-0 home defeat to the Montreal Impact, and was named to the MLS Team of the Week for his performance, becoming the first rookie to earn the honor in his professional debut. On March 12, 2013, he scored his first professional goal for the club in a 3-1 win against Tigres in the second leg of Seattle’s CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal.
On July 15, 2013, Yedlin was named to the MLS All-Star team for the match against Roma, making him the first rookie selected to the All-Star team since Michael Parkhurst in 2005. He scored his first professional league goal in a 1-1 draw with the Colorado Rapids on July 20, 2013, and was again named to the MLS All-Star team in 2014, starting in a 2-1 victory against FC Bayern Munich.
Tottenham Hotspur Breakthrough (2014-2016)
After breaking out at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Yedlin transferred to Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur on August 13, 2014, signing a four-year contract. He remained with Seattle before joining Tottenham in January 2015, training with the club for the first time on January 7, 2015. Yedlin made his first appearance for the Tottenham under-21 team on January 9, 2015, and his Premier League debut on April 11, 2015, in a loss to Aston Villa.
On September 1, 2015, Sunderland acquired Yedlin on a year-long loan from Tottenham. He made his Sunderland debut on September 22 in a League Cup match, playing the full 90 minutes and notching an assist for Sunderland’s only goal in a 4-1 loss to Manchester City. He started his first Premier League game for the club on October 3, 2015, against West Ham United.
Newcastle United Era (2016-2021)
On August 24, 2016, Yedlin moved to Newcastle United for £5 million on a five-year contract. He made his Newcastle debut on August 27, 2016, in a match against Brighton and Hove Albion as an 88th-minute substitute. Two weeks later, on September 10, 2016, he scored his first goal for the club and his first in three years in a 2-0 victory against Derby County in the League Cup.
Yedlin scored his first Premier League goal on September 1, 2018, in a 2-1 defeat at Manchester City. He became a regular starter at right-back for Newcastle during his five-year stay, providing pace and width down the right flank across multiple Premier League campaigns.
Galatasaray Era (2021-2022)
On February 1, 2021, Yedlin joined the Turkish side Galatasaray on a 2.5-year contract. On March 19, 2021, he scored his first goal for the club, his first since 2019, conceded a penalty, and was sent off in a dramatic 3-4 home defeat to Çaykur Rizespor. On January 26, 2022, his contract with Galatasaray was terminated by mutual consent.
Inter Miami Era (2022-2024)
Yedlin joined Inter Miami CF on February 2, 2022, on a four-year contract with an additional one-year option. Manager Phil Neville described the signing as a Designated Player-level move in terms of quality and leadership. Yedlin was the vice-captain of the squad that won Inter Miami’s first-ever trophy, the 2023 Leagues Cup, and a widely shared video showed Lionel Messi offering him the armband to raise the trophy.
After his time in Miami, Yedlin moved on in early 2024 seeking a new environment closer to family priorities.
FC Cincinnati Era (2024-2025)
On March 4, 2024, Yedlin moved to FC Cincinnati. He explained that he and his wife were attracted to Cincinnati as a great place to raise a family and praised TQL Stadium as what he considered to be the best soccer-specific stadium in the United States. He wore number 91 at the club in honor of his uncle.
Real Salt Lake Era (2025-Present)
In 2025, Yedlin joined Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake, where he wears the number 2 jersey. He continues to play as a right-back, bringing extensive Premier League, Süper Lig, and MLS experience to the squad.
Driving Style and Strengths
Yedlin is known for his pace, stamina, and attacking thrust from the right-back position. Coaches have praised his quickness, his ability to read the game, and his willingness to get forward and deliver crosses. After several years in Europe, he has also developed into a more reliable one-on-one and positional defender, rounding out his game on both sides of the ball.
Notable Events and Milestones
Yedlin was the first rookie to be named to the MLS Team of the Week in his professional debut and the first rookie All-Star since 2005. He appeared in both the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the only American player to feature in both tournaments. He also lifted the 2023 Leagues Cup with Inter Miami as the squad’s vice-captain.
DeAndre Yedlin Career Wins
Across his club and international career, DeAndre Roselle Yedlin has collected major trophies in both Concacaf competitions and MLS. His biggest club honor came with Inter Miami’s 2023 Leagues Cup title, while internationally he was part of the United States team that won the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League.
International Highlights
Yedlin won the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League with the United States men’s national team. He was also a runner-up at the 2015 CONCACAF Cup.
Other Wins & Performances
At Inter Miami, Yedlin served as vice-captain of the squad that won the 2023 Leagues Cup, the club’s first-ever trophy, capping a memorable summer run in MLS.
DeAndre Yedlin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Yedlin is one-quarter black, one-quarter Native American, and half Latvian Jewish on his mother’s side. His mother, Rebecca Yedlin, had him when she was very young and is now a college faculty member, and his father has never been part of his life. He was raised by his maternal grandfather, Ira Nathan Yedlin, and step-grandmother, Vicki Walton, and he has a sister, Jenea, who is three years younger than he is.
Personal Life
Yedlin is married, and during his move to FC Cincinnati he and his wife cited the city as a great place to raise a family. In May 2021, Yedlin joined the ownership group of USL Championship club San Diego Loyal SC, expanding his ties to the sport beyond playing.
2025 Season Performance
DeAndre Roselle Yedlin began the 2025 season with FC Cincinnati before completing a move to Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake, where he took the number 2 jersey. His arrival added veteran leadership and Premier League-tested experience to the back line.
Throughout 2025, Yedlin has continued to operate primarily at right-back, providing width and overlapping runs while helping organize a defensive unit that leans on his big-game experience. He has also remained a respected voice in the locker room, the kind of glue guy teammates and coaches have come to rely on.
Looking ahead, Yedlin’s outlook in 2025 centers on contributing to Real Salt Lake’s playoff push while mentoring younger defenders. His combination of pace, professionalism, and championship experience from the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2021 CONCACAF Nations League makes him a stabilizing presence as the season progresses.
