Minnesota United have completed a club-record sale of striker Tani Oluwaseyi to Spanish club Villarreal, sources confirm. The deal is worth around $9 million, including add-ons, and marks a significant moment for the MLS club.

The agreement was finalized after Villarreal, who will be competing in the UEFA Champions League, made a series of bids for the Canadian international. While other clubs expressed interest, Villarreal’s offer was the most compelling, both in terms of fee and the clear pathway it presented for Oluwaseyi.

For Minnesota United, this transfer is a statement of intent. The club’s sporting director, Khaled El-Ahmad, was key to the negotiations and views the move as a validation of the team’s development model. The message is simple: young, talented players can come to Minnesota, hone their skills, and earn a move to one of Europe’s top leagues. The transfer of an MLS SuperDraft pick to a Champions League side for a significant fee is a powerful recruiting tool for the club.

Oluwaseyi, 25, leaves Minnesota after a remarkable rise. Initially selected in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, he spent time on loan at San Antonio FC in the USL Championship before breaking out with the Loons. This past season, he was the team’s leading scorer, with 10 goals in MLS, and became a regular for the Canadian national team. His emergence has been swift and impressive.

The player himself expressed gratitude for his time in Minnesota, describing it as “immense.” His move to Villarreal, a club known for its technical style and development of players, is a logical next step. He will join a competitive squad that includes his Canadian international teammate Tajon Buchanan, who joined Villarreal from the New England Revolution.

While the loss of their leading scorer will be a challenge for Minnesota United, who are currently second in the Western Conference, the club views this as a long-term win. The remaining striker is Designated Player Kelvin Yeboah, who has also had a strong season with 9 goals.

This transfer is a landmark deal for Minnesota United and MLS, demonstrating the league’s growing status as a breeding ground for top talent destined for the global stage. It is a win for all parties, and a clear signal that the American pipeline to European football is here to stay.