USMNT defender Miles Robinson has pointed towards finances in explaining his reason to snub Europe in favour of a move to FC Cincinnati.
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ToggleOut of contract with Atlanta United and in the prime days of his playing career, the expectation was that the centre-back would push for a move to one of Europe's elite clubs. Instead, reigning MLS Supporters Shield winners FC Cincinatti announced his signing on January 3 in a deal thought to be worth more than $1.65 million (£1.29m) per season. Salary was one of the main factors behind the decision, the 26-year-old has revealed.
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The USMNT international told on the move: "I really wanted to make some kind of change on and off the field. Over the course of last season, I talked to a lot of people, just trying to seek advice from any and everyone."
Asked about interest from PSV, Robinson said: "There wasn't anything completely formal. I never spoke to Earnie [Stewart, PSV's sporting director]. I didn't want to get a pay cut going overseas. As I learned, injuries can happen and you could be out for a year-plus. So the finances were definitely something I took into consideration while making this decision."
Runaway Eredivisie leaders PSV had been monitoring Robinson's situation at Atlanta, which would have sealed a reunion with USMNT trio Ricardo Pepi, Sergino Dest and Malik Tillman. But reports that the centre-back would have likely been offered not much over the non-European Union minimum salary of $550,000 (£430,000) per year, which is likely to have dissuaded him.
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That said, Robinson hasn't ruled out a move to Europe later in his playing career. He said on joining the likes of Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream and Chris Richards in England's top flight: "I definitely have Premier League aspirations. A one-plus-one [contract] could set me up for the future in terms of my earnings and where I want to go. Betting on myself is definitely something I'm willing to do at this point in my career, especially in a place where I think I can really stand out and help an already-great club take that next step."