United States men’s national team star Malik Tillman told ESPN he has “mixed feelings” after completing a move to Bayer Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven on Saturday, but the midfielder added he is “excited to have some new experiences in my life.”
Tillman helped PSV win the Dutch Eredivisie title in both of the past two seasons. He joins Leverkusen as one of the first signings for new boss Erik ten Hag, who took over from Xabi Alonso this summer.
“I’m happy, I’m excited; I think it’s a good step for my career,” Tillman told ESPN.
When asked if he has mixed feelings about leaving PSV, Tillman said: “I definitely do. But it’s football. Sometimes you have to move on. I’m going to miss it here. I had two great seasons here. I miss the players, the coaches, the people at the club. But I’m also excited to have some new experiences in my life. So yes, mixed feelings.”
Tillman, who said he spoke to Ten Hag ahead of the transfer, added: “It’s been a good step for my career [playing for PSV]. Obviously we’ve won two titles, and played good in the Champions League. A great step for my career. I developed as a player and a person. I can’t be grateful enough to play for PSV, in front of those fans.”
His arrival at Leverkusen follows the exit of the team’s star attacker, Florian Wirtz, who joined Liverpool on June 20.
Tillman has signed a five-year contract with the Bundesliga club.
“We’ve gained another strong and very dangerous attacking player,” Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said. “He can play in both the No. 10 and the No. 8 positions in midfield. Malik is an absolute top signing for us.”
Tillman, who was born in Nuremberg, Germany, to a German mother and American father, played through Bayern Munich‘s youth teams after switching from Bavarian rival SpVgg Greuther Fürth in 2015.
He was unable to establish himself in the senior team and made just seven appearances for Bayern before joining Scottish giants Rangers on loan in 2022-23. He joined PSV on loan with an option to make the move permanent the next season. PSV activated the permanent option last year.
Tillman scored 16 goals and set up five more in 34 competitive games for PSV last season.
He has 25 international caps for the U.S., with six coming at this summer’s Gold Cup.
Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.