It’s not every day a USL Championship player with only one US Open Cup appearance for their team would transfer to a German Bundesliga team, but that is exactly what happened to 18-year-old Ethan Kohler.
Oakland Roots confirmed Kohler has transferred to SV Werder Bremen on Monday. The deal, which had been in motion for a few months, happened after Kohler featured in one game for the Roots: their second-round US Open Cup game against El Farolito. Playing as a midfielder, Kohler acquitted himself well against a number of players a decade or more older than him.
A native of Campbell, California, Kohler is not exactly an unknown quantity in the American soccer community. He has already featured for the United States Men’s National Team Under-19 side and also played for the third division MLS Next side San Jose Earthquakes II, where he made 11 appearances and had a 92.4 percent completion rate on his passes in 2022.
He is known for his ability to control the ball in the midfield while always looking for a chance to advance the attack.
Kohler just finished high school
Kohler just finished up his senior year at Laurel Springs High School and originally committed to join the Stanford Cardinals men’s soccer college team. Instead, he decided in January to jump into the professional ranks and sign with the Oakland Roots.
And after one game with Oakland, Kohler finds himself moving to Germany.
“Ethan joined the club with the ambition to make the jump across the Atlantic,” explained Oakland Roots SC Technical Director Jordan Ferrell. “We are thrilled to be able to help a local Bay Area player reach that next level.”
What’s next in Germany
Werder Bremen is one of the most established teams in German soccer. Founded in 1899 its tied with Bayern Munich playing the most seasons in the nation’s top professional league, the Bundesliga. Last season Bremen finished in 13th place.
“Ethan is a very ambitious player with a good overview and a good understanding of the game. He is well trained in football and can play both as a central defender and as a midfielder,” said Clemens Fritz, head of scouting and professional football for Werder Bremen, after Kohler’s signing.
The club plans to develop him as a defensive midfielder. Kohler will train with the first team players until the Wemer U-23 starts traning on July 5th. He will initially feature on Bremen’s U-19 and U-23 sides.
“I am excited to start a new chapter in both football and life at such an amazing club and organization,” said Kohler after the signing. “Thank you to all the people in my life who made this possible.”
And for the Oakland Roots its a notch on their belt with their first successful transfer of a club player to a European side.
“We are excited to be able to help a young player take the next steps in his career,” Ferrell said.
