Atlanta United and U.S. men’s national team left back George Bello has made a move to Arminia Bielefeld in a transfer deal on European deadline day, joining the growing number of young U.S. players heading overseas this winter. Bello, a 20-year-old defender with six national team caps, has established himself as a regular starter for Atlanta in MLS over the past two seasons, catching the attention of the U.S. team. He is the fourth player from MLS to join the Bundesliga this winter, following moves by Ricardo Pepi, Kevin Paredes, and Justin Che to German clubs. Additionally, Daryl Dike, Cole Bassett, and James Sands have also secured moves to European clubs from MLS.
According to Atlanta United’s technical director Carlos Bocanegra, George Bello’s journey from the club’s academy to the U.S. men’s national team is a testament to the development pathways the club offers. Bello, who signed through 2026, made his mark at the USL level before debuting with the first team and earning a spot with the national team. His desire to continue his development in Europe led him to move to Arminia Bielefeld, where he will face the challenge of helping the team avoid relegation.
Arminia Bielefeld is currently fighting to stay above the relegation zone in the Bundesliga, and Bello’s presence could provide a boost to the team’s defensive line. If he is ready to play in the next match, he might face another U.S. fullback, Joe Scally, who plays for Borussia Monchengladbach. Bello’s move to Europe signifies another step forward in the growing trend of young American players seeking opportunities in top European leagues, highlighting the talent pool emerging from MLS.
