Wolfsburg have snapped up highly rated American winger Kevin Paredes from MLS side DC United, with the 18-year-old signing a contract valid until summer 2026.

Paredes, who holds joint US citizen and Dominican Republic citizenship, passed a medical in Wolfsburg on Friday before putting pen to paper on his contract.

“I can hardly wait to get going at VfL,” the 1.75-metre winger told the club's official website. “My first impressions of the facilities here are awesome. I’m very pleased to be here and I’m eager to take on the new challenge and succeed with VfL.”

Paredes, whose preferred position is on the left wing, cut his teeth in the DC United academy before making his professional debut at the age of just 16 for the Washington club's reserve team, Loudoun United FC, in the second division of US soccer.

After impressing there he returned to his parent club and made 41 appearances in all competitions, registering three goals and two assists, while he also has two goals in five caps for the USA U16s.

“We’re very happy that Kevin was quickly convinced by our philosophy and our path, and that he’s joining us,” said Wolfsburg sporting director Marcel Schäfer, who himself spent time in the US soccer scene with the Tampa Bay Rowdies between 2017-2018.

“Despite his age he’s already gained some experience at first-team level, and as well as the left wing he can also play in the centre. He also brings pace and dynamism, he’s very agile and nimble on the ball, covers a lot of ground on the pitch and has a really good mentality.”

Paredes is the third US teenager to move to the Bundesliga in the winter transfer period, joining Ricardo Pepi (Augsburg) and Justin Che (Hoffenheim) in making the switch to Germany's top flight.

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