Why Are Europe's Top Clubs Hunting for America's Under-the-Radar Talent?

More than 50 American players are already preparing to compete in European soccer this season, the overwhelming majority having come through Major League Soccer or having grown up in Europe and honed their abilities within those clubs' top youth academies. Two more Americans appear to be heading across the Atlantic to join that group, though they will be arriving from the second-division USL Championship, a league that occupies a tier below Major League Soccer in the U.S. Soccer Pyramid. 

On Monday, The Athletic's Tom Bogert reported that 19-year-old forward Colton Swan and 28-year-old forward JJ Williams are poised to move to the Scottish Premier League, with Swan heading to Hibernian and Williams making his way to Hearts of Midlothian. 

Nearly a decade apart in age, neither player carries significant MLS experience, yet both are destined for a European challenge. While Williams has eight MLS appearances through brief stints with the Columbus Crew and Atlanta United, joining a Hearts side that narrowly fell short of the 2025-26 SPFL title represents a considerable step up. 

Both transfers raise a number of questions: Why would these European clubs be targeting second-tier American players specifically? And conversely, why are two players from the U.S. second division moving abroad rather than to MLS, where clubs like the Seattle Sounders, Inter Miami and others could use attacking reinforcements at this point in the season? Sports Illustrated breaks it all down below.

Swan Brings Youthful Energy to Scottish Pressure

Among the wave of emerging USMNT prospects, Colton Swan is a name to keep an eye on outside of the conventional MLS pipeline. Swan grew up in Detroit, claiming three state cups and a U.S. Youth Soccer championship along the way. He also had a brief stint with Colorado Rapids II in MLS Next Pro.

Swan played college soccer at Indiana University, earning a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team after recording three goals and three assists across 19 games, including 11 starts. That stint paved the way for his most recent run of appearances at USL Championship club Charleston Battery, where he has proven himself worthy of a European opportunity. 

This season, he has contributed 11 goals and two assists in 20 matches and has been a reliable force in attack and on the counter. According to Bogert, MLS clubs explored the possibility of signing him before Hibernian stepped in with a more attractive offer to make the move overseas.  

Swan recently made an impression with the USMNT U20s, featuring in four matches at the Concacaf U20 Championships and helping the United States qualify for the 2027 U20 World Cup after finishing as runners-up behind Mexico. He may miss the U20 World Cup; however, he remains in contention for the USMNT U23 squad set to compete at the LA 2028 Olympics.

While his statistics were strong enough to generate mild MLS interest, the deal appears to stem from a partnership between the Battery and Hibernian established in 2020, which encompasses player development and scouting, giving Charleston players a clear pathway to European football.

By making the move to Europe, Swan will have the chance to test himself in the intense environment of Scottish soccer, and at this stage of his career, a return to the USL or MLS remains a viable option should things not go according to plan. Hibernian's interest centers on the youthful spark Swan may or may not be able to deliver.

Veteran Gets European Move After MLS Foray

For JJ Williams, the reasoning behind the move is far more straightforward. Hearts are seeking additional attacking depth, and in particular a more physical option up front, after manager Wouter Vrancken has relied on Claudio Braga, Landry Kabore, James Wilson and Amadou Ba-Sy throughout preseason and the opening two weeks of the season. 

Ba-Sy was substituted at halftime during a 6–2 victory over Inverness CT, with Vrancken publicly criticizing the 25-year-old and stating that he needed to match the intensity demanded by the Scottish league. Williams could offer precisely what Vrancken is searching for, given the USL veteran's 6'5" build and well-rounded goalscoring ability.

A 𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚 for JJ Williams as he slots home his 50th regular season goal! ⚓️ @RhodeIslandFC pic.twitter.com/p5Wf72GaQT

Thriving on an aggressive style of play and renowned for capitalizing on crosses delivered into the box, Williams has also established himself as an effective target striker and clinical finisher, qualities backed by his 30 goals in 78 appearances for Rhode Island FC since 2023. 

For Williams, this opportunity to play in Europe is likely the final one of its kind in his career. He will get the chance to perform in front of passionate crowds for a club that hopes to produce another memorable season and compete for every available trophy in Scotland.