The 2026-27 EFL season gets underway on Friday and as usual, there will be plenty of American players to keep an eye on.
George Campbell, Aidan Morris, and Sebastian Berhalter headline the American contingent who are slated to be with their clubs for the upcoming campaign. Campbell is heading into his second season with West Bromwich Albion while Morris and Berhalter will team up together at Middlesbrough.
Patrick Agyemang might not be healthy for the start of Derby County’s season, but the U.S. Men’s National Team forward will surely be back to play a key role. Agyemang missed the final weeks of the season, as well as the FIFA World Cup due to a ruptured Achilles’ tendon.
Damion Downs and Charlie Kelman round out the six American players in the EFL Championship that will be fighting to lead their respective clubs to promotion.
Lynden Gooch remains a veteran presence in League One with Huddersfield Town while Jonathan Tomkinson is back with Cheltenham Town in League Two.
Here is a look at the Americans Abroad contingent heading into the EFL Championship season:
George Campbell, West Bromwich Albion
A productive first season with West Bromwich Albion should do wonders for American centerback George Campbell.
Campbell made 41 appearances for the Baggies last season, scoring four goals and adding two assists. The former Atlanta United and CF Montreal defender was thrown right into the fire at West Brom and concluded the campaign as one of the club’s better performers.
James Morrison is staying on as Baggies manager, which is also a positive sign for Campbell, who thrived under him.
Sebastian Berhalter, Middlesbrough
Sebastian Berhalter earned himself a move to England this summer and will now aim to help Middlesbrough push for Premier League promotion.
Berhalter made 30+ appearances in each of the last three seasons for the Vancouver Whitecaps, quickly growing into one of the more durable midfielders in MLS. The 25-year-old’s intensity and work rate also helped him also rack up 18 caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team since the start of 2025, which featured five World Cup appearances this summer.
Teaming back up with former club and current USMNT teammate Aidan Morris should help Berhalter settle in nicely on Teesside.
Aidan Morris, Middlesbrough
Aidan Morris has settled in nicely at Middlesbrough and will aim to take the next step in 2026-27.
Morris made 45 appearances in Kim Hellberg’s squad last season, registering three assists in all competitions. Despite a slight injury worry last fall, Morris rebounded by remaining a constant in Hellberg’s starting lineup for the remainder of the season and into the EFL Playoffs.
Middlesbrough fans will be hoping that Morris can get off the goalscoring mark this season as Boro pushes for a top-two finish.
Patrick Agyemang, Derby County
Not many players have been able to deliver instant success in the EFL Championship like American forward Patrick Agyemang.
Agyemang scored 10 goals and added three assists for Derby County in his first season abroad before an Achilles injury abruptly ended his campaign. The former Charlotte FC striker brought physicality and a strong presence to the Rams’ attacking corps, something that manager John Eustance will hope Agyemang can deliver again this year.
If Agyemang can stay healthy and deliver another double-digit season, Derby County can easily fight for promotion.
Damion Downs, Southampton
22-year-old Damion Downs did not play a large part in his first season with Southampton but it’s a new opportunity for the American forward.
Downs made 14 appearances for the Saints before being loaned out to Bundesliga club Hamburg for the second half of the season. After delivering 11 goals for FC Koln in the 2. Bundesliga two years ago, Downs is trying to get back on track.
It remains to be seen whether or not Tonda Eckert keeps Downs this fall, but if he does, he should see a hungry forward ready to produce.
Charlie Kelman, Charlton Athletic
A step back up to the EFL Championship saw Charlie Kelman deliver some positive moments for Charlton Athletic.
Kelman, 24, scored seven goals for Nathan Jones’ squad last season, finishing the campaign with 36 appearances. After bouncing back and forth between League One and League Two in the past, Kelman looks settled now in the Championship and ready to take a larger step this year.
Lynden Gooch, Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town will be pushing to get back to England’s second-tier this season and 30-year-old Lynden Gooch can certainly help those efforts.
Gooch made 37 appearances for the Terriers in League One last season, scoring two goals and adding six assists. The veteran defender brings valuable experience to the table for Huddersfield Town, who will be among the challengers to get out of the third-tier and back into the EFL Championship.
Jonathan Tomkinson, Cheltenham Town
Jonathan Tomkinson moved to Cheltenham Town last summer and quickly became a key figure in the squad.
The 24-year-old American defender logged his most productive season yet, playing in 38 matches and scoring his first senior goal at club level. Tomkinson helped Cheltenham Town fight off relegation from League Two, which gives them new life in their quest to delivering a better run this season.
Source: Sbisoccer.com
