A bright American talent who made the move to Europe, USA international Bryan Reynolds struggled to find his feet in Serie A with Roma and is now plying his trade in Belgium.

Bryan Reynolds is a tall right back who signed for AS Roma on loan from FC Dallas for 6 months on February 1, 2021 with a view to a full-time transfer.

Precocious talent Reynolds made the move to the Italian capital club without being capped at senior level for the USMNT, but couldn't make an impact with the club.

He was sent out on loan to clubs in Belgium before joining Westerlo on a permanent transfer in July 2023.

Bryan Reynolds' early career

Brian Reynolds' father also played soccer at Southern Methodist University and briefly professionally in Europe, so it was no surprise his son chose to follow in his footsteps.

At the age of four, Reynold's father gave him a piece of paper with baseball, basketball, soccer and American Football written on it and asked him to choose. Thankfully, Reynolds picked soccer, pleasing his coaches and his father.

"Bryan just really took to it. He was a natural. If at any point he wanted to play another sport, we would have totally supported it, but I would have gone to the bathroom and cried for a couple of days," Keith Reynolds told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Reynolds' family had to make sacrifices to help Bryan's soccer dreams, moving from Fort Worth to Arlington and then Frisco to cut travelling time to training.

Reynolds joined the acclaimed FC Dallas academy, winning the 2015/16 US Soccer Development Academy national championship at U-16 level.

On November 22 2016, Reynolds became the youngest player to sign a homegrown contract with FC Dallas at just 15 years and 147 days.

In 2019, Reynolds was loaned to FC Dallas reserve side North Texas SC, playing 12 games but it wasn't long before he was brought back to Dallas for his first team debut.

Reynolds made his MLS and FC Dallas debut against Los Angeles FC on May 19, 2019.

He took the place of USMNT right back Reggie Cannon who had been sold to Portuguese side Boavista.

Reynolds made just 17 appearances for FC Dallas in 2019/20 before drawing serious interest from Europe for his signature. AS Roma, Juventus and Club Brugge were the clubs reported to be tussling for Reynolds' transfer.

Bryan Reynolds and AS Roma

Reynolds' move to Europe was described as a "rollercoaster" by FC Dallas director Andre Zanotta to goal.com.

The American was caught in the middle of a bidding war between Italian giants Juventus and AS Roma. However, Juve had used up their two permitted non-EU roster spots but Roma hadn't, meaning they could throw Reynolds straight into first team action.

The more straightforward deal with Roma and an improved financial offer from the Italian capital club meant that they won the race for the 19-year-old, paying an initial loan fee of $100,000 with an option to buy for $8.12million. The total transfer fee for Reynolds could increase to $15million, comfortably making it the largest received in FC Dallas' history.

Reynolds became the second US player to sign for AS Roma after USMNT captain Michael Bradley in 2012.

"I love this game so much and I'm excited for my future. I grew up with FC Dallas and wouldn't be where I am if I didn't have the opportunity with the club. I'm going to fight and give everything to Roma like I did here. I would like to thank the fans and FC Dallas for their support. I'm just super excited for my future and I'm going to learn Italian as fast as possible." Reynolds told si.com.

Reynolds made his debut for Roma in Serie A in March 2021 against Parma, and made four further appearances that season.

He made just three appearances in the 2021/22 season before being loaned to KV Kortrijk in the Belgian Juplier Pro League in January 2022.

Reynolds made nine appearances and scored one goal and then was loaned to KVC Westerlo for the 2022/23 season.

Fortunately Reynolds found his feet at Westerlo and played an important role in the side finishing seventh in the Belgian top flight.

He made 34 appearances, scored one goal and set-up five assists which was enought for the Belgian club to sign him on a full-time deal at the end of the season for €3.5million.

Reynolds with the USA

On the radar of the US youth national setup from a young age, Reynolds caught the eye playing for the U-16 Boys' National Team where he was called up for the IMG Cup.

He played for the US at the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship where the Young Yanks finished runners up to rivals Mexico. Reynolds then went on to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in India, helping the USA to the quarterfinals, where they were eliminated by England.

In January 2021 Reynolds was called up to the U-23 USMNT training camp in Bradenton, Florida.

Reynolds made his USA debut in a friendly against Northern Ireland in March 2021.

He was called up to the 2023 Gold Cup squad and scored his first international goal against St Kitts and Nevis during the tournament.

Personal life

Bryan Reynolds' father Keith was a keen soccer player, playing at Southern Methodist University and for the US youth national team.

He has a younger brother Ty, who also plays soccer for the FC Dallas academy.