Former 17-goal Premier League striker Patrick Bamford has reportedly chosen his next destination after leaving newly promoted Leeds United this summer.
The 32-year-old departed Elland Road by mutual consent at the end of last month after being left out of manager Daniel Farke’s plans.
However, he has now indicated that he wants to sign for an American side, as reported by journalist Alan Nixon.
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Despite being part of two Championship title-winning campaigns with the Whites in 2020 and 2025, Bamford’s time in West Yorkshire ended sourly, with many fans growing frustrated by his decline in performances.
He made 18 appearances in all competitions last season but failed to start a single game, which was a stark contrast to his 17-goal year in Leeds’ first Premier League campaign for 16 years in 2020/21.
Those performances earned him a maiden international call-up to the England squad, and he made his debut against Andorra in 2021. However, he has not added to his one-game tally since then.
With his path to first-team football blocked by the trio of Joel Piroe and new signings Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Bamford agreed to end his stint at the club after their first two matches back in the top-flight.
As reported by Nixon, several English sides have shown interest in him in the following two weeks, but the former Nottingham Forest and Chelsea man favours a move across the Atlantic.
English connections
If Bamford were to sign for one of the 30 Major League Soccer teams, he would join a strong list of 18 Englishmen currently playing in the division.
Former Leeds midfielder Ronaldo Vieira is one of them, with the England youth international having signed for San Jose Earthquakes from Italian side Sampdoria this summer.
There are also two English managers in the shape of ex-Aston Villa boss Dean Smith, who is in charge of Charlotte FC, and former Manchester United and Everton defender Phil Neville, who took over at Portland Timbers in 2023 after a spell at David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
The league’s English links could prove to be a clue as to where Bamford may end up, with the familiarity of his fellow countrymen helping him ease into life in the USA.
Although he has never played under Smith, a move to his Charlotte side may be most likely given the presence of four Englishmen in their roster already: captain Ashley Westwood, Nathan Byrne, Harry Toffolo and Tyger Smalls.