American Pros Shifting Away from England, Italy; Toward Germany

USA Volleyball has announced the processing of 276 international transfers for the 2018-2019 international season. The process is the one that grants US citizens the right to compete in foreign pro leagues, and the list will continue to grow throughout the season – last year, that number grew to a record-breaking 435 by January.

While the number will grow as the season progresses, the 276 is 23 fewer than there were at this stage last year. It is, however, more than the 262 that were processed by October of 2016.

The splitout is 199 females and 77 males

Among the biggest absences is that of US National Teamer Annie Drews (who didn’t get a callup for the World Championship team). She spent last season in Italy, bouncing between SAB Volley and Casalmaggiore: the latter on a trial contract. She is supposed to be joining Simone Lee at Turksih club Beylikduzu this season, but neither player’s transfer (nor that of Kelly Hunter to Turkey) appears on USA Volleyball’s list so far.

Germany continues to be the most popular country both for American men and American women. Some noticeable trends as to where American players are headed:

• England used to be a major player for the services of Americans, but that role is diminishing. In October of 2017, 30 American women were cleared for transfer to England. This year that number is down to just 15.
• France and Finland have picked up much of that slack, with France taking 35 American women so far this year (as compared to 25 at this point last season) and Finland jumping from 13 to 18.
• No Americans played in Slovakia at the start of last season, and only 1 (Capri Richardson) did at any point last year, for the 2nd-half of the season after being released by Austrian side TS Innsbruck. This year, 3 American women (Taylor Nelson, Kelsey O’Neill, and Ayana Whitaker) will all start the year in the country.
• The American men have seen a huge shift away from Italy and to Germany. Last year to start the season, 11 American men were cleared to play in Germany and 16 were cleared to play in Italy. This year, 20 are headed to Germany, and just 6 are signed in Italy.
• Erik Shoji (Fakel Novy Urengoy) is the only American man in Russia. Matt Anderson (Zenit Kazan) should eventually join that list. Haley Eckerman is the only American woman cleared for international transfer there.

Country Splitout for Women:

Country Splitout for Men:

Note: Puerto Rico doesn’t require international transfers, because it is a US territory.

Women’s International Transfers

Women’s International Transfers