Zack Steffen’s time at Manchester City appears to be over.
Or at least that’s what the U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper says is his hope, as he continues to start for Middlesbrough on a season-long loan from the Premier League champions.
After surprisingly being left off the USMNT roster for the World Cup, Steffen is back with the national team for its two CONCACAF Nations League matches this month.
Steffen’s form with Boro, currently third in the Championship table as it chases promotion to the top flight, has helped propel him back to the USMNT after one of the biggest disappointments of his career.
And speaking to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the 27-year-old has said he isn’t prepared to return to City and be a backup again.
“I don’t think I’ll go back,” Steffen said. “No, I want to be playing. Although I had a great time at City and I love those guys, and obviously an amazing club, I don’t really have any plans to go back.”
How Steffen would engineer an exit from City is yet to be determined. His loan at Boro goes through the end of the season, at which point he is scheduled to return to City. His contract at the Etihad runs through 2025.
Steffen originally joined City from the Columbus Crew in 2019, before going out on loan to Fortuna Düsseldorf for the 2019-20 season. After starting for the then-Bundesliga club, Steffen returned to City where he served as Ederson’s backup for two seasons.
Stefen has earned 29 caps for the USMNT after making his debut in 2018.
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