USMNT star Miles Robinson reveals why he shunned move to Europe in favour of FC Cincinnati transfer

Out of contract with Atlanta United and in the prime days of his playing career, the expectation was that the centre-back would push for a move to one of Europe's elite clubs. Instead, reigning MLS Supporters Shield winners FC Cincinatti announced his signing on January 3 in a deal thought to be worth more than $1.65 million (£1.29m) per season. Salary was one of the main factors behind the decision, the 26-year-old has revealed.

The USMNT international told Fox Sports on the move: "I really wanted to make some kind of change on and off the field. Over the course of last season, I talked to a lot of people, just trying to seek advice from any and everyone."

Asked about interest from PSV, Robinson said: "There wasn't anything completely formal. I never spoke to Earnie [Stewart, PSV's sporting director]. I didn't want to get a pay cut going overseas. As I learned, injuries can happen and you could be out for a year-plus. So the finances were definitely something I took into consideration while making this decision."

Runaway Eredivisie leaders PSV had been monitoring Robinson's situation at Atlanta, which would have sealed a reunion with USMNT trio Ricardo Pepi, Sergino Dest and Malik Tillman. But Fox Sports reports that the centre-back would have likely been offered not much over the non-European Union minimum salary of $550,000 (£430,000) per year, which is likely to have dissuaded him.

That said, Robinson hasn't ruled out a move to Europe later in his playing career. He said on joining the likes of Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream and Chris Richards in England's top flight: "I definitely have Premier League aspirations. A one-plus-one [contract] could set me up for the future in terms of my earnings and where I want to go. Betting on myself is definitely something I'm willing to do at this point in my career, especially in a place where I think I can really stand out and help an already-great club take that next step."

Indeed, Robinson's decision may have surprised many initially, but one only needs to look at the USMNT stars to have faltered after securing a move to Europe. Midfielder Djordje Mihailovic recently returned to MLS after a disappointing year with AZ Alkmaar, while it took Pepi a year to find his feet after leaving Dallas in 2022.