Stoke City have signed US international midfielder Jack McGlynn from MLS side Houston Dynamo FC. The 23-year-old's transfer, announced on Tuesday, involves a fee that could reach $5.5 million.
McGlynn arrives as Stoke look to bolster their squad amid a difficult start to the Championship season. The Potters currently sit 24th in the table with zero points from their opening three games, having lost all three. They have scored just three goals while conceding nine, leaving them with a -6 goal difference and nine points behind early leaders Charlton Athletic.
Jack McGlynn is a 23-year-old central midfielder who has earned 13 caps for the United States men's national team, scoring two goals. He featured at the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup and played four times for the US at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Before his brief stint with Houston, McGlynn spent four seasons with the Philadelphia Union, making a total of 186 appearances for the Union and Dynamo combined. Across those matches, he contributed 17 goals and 29 assists. This MLS season, he recorded two goals and six assists in 18 matches.
The acquisition addresses a clear need for creativity in the centre of the park. Stoke's struggle for goals is evident in the early data, and McGlynn's proven ability to create chances from midfield could be vital. His experience at international level and in high-pressure MLS playoffs adds a competitive edge to a squad seeking its first points. Fans can see how he integrates by checking the updated squad list.
Pat Onstad, Houston Dynamo's president of soccer, commented on the move. "We are grateful for Jack's contributions to the Dynamo and proud of the strides he made during his time in Houston," Onstad said. He added, "When we signed Jack to the club, we committed to work with him to fulfill his dream of continuing his career in Europe."
McGlynn joins a team in urgent need of a turnaround. The immediate focus shifts to a daunting next fixture: a home match against league leaders Charlton Athletic on Saturday, September 5th. It presents a steep challenge, facing the table-toppers, but also a prime opportunity for a new signing to make an instant impact. The full schedule is available on our fixtures page.
The reported fee of up to $5.5 million signifies a substantial investment in a player viewed as capable of contributing immediately. His left-footed passing range and set-piece delivery offer tools that have been in short supply. Supporters will hope his arrival can help spark an improvement in the team's form, which currently reads as three consecutive losses. The latest standings show the scale of the task ahead.
Stoke City's next match is at home against Charlton Athletic on September 5, 2026.
