Werner seals MLS move | OneFootball

Timo Werner joins San Jose Earthquakes from RB Leipzig

Former Germany international Timo Werner has completed a permanent move to MLS side San Jose Earthquakes from RB Leipzig.

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Werner made just three appearances for Leipzig in the Bundesliga this season, having spent the previous campaign on loan at Tottenham Hotspur.

He is now set to fill San Jose’s final designated spot for star players, ahead of the start of the 2026 MLS season, which gets under way in February.

"Leipzig is more than just where I spent part of my career," Werner told the club website after his move was confirmed. "I was able to experience some special moments here, played in big matches and enjoyed unforgettable emotions. This club, the fans and the people in and around Leipzig shaped me, both as a player and a person. That is something I will never forget."

"It is now time for me to begin a new chapter of my career," he continued. "I would like to thank my team-mates, coaches, colleagues and, above all, the fans.

"I felt your support at every stage and, as a result, RB Leipzig will always have a special place in my heart. I wish the club only the best for the future." 

The 29-year-old is the latest German star to move to the US recently, after Marco Reus and Thomas Müller joined LA Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps respectively.

Werner's footballing story began at his hometown side, VfB Stuttgart, in 2013, but it was the striker’s first spell at Leipzig where he really made his name. A four-year stint in Leipzig, in which he scored 78 goals in 127 league appearances, earned Werner a move to Chelsea in 2020.

Watch: Werner's top 5 Bundesliga goals

While his time in West London was turbulent, he did pick up a UEFA Champions League winner's medal in 2021, having started in the final against Manchester City.

Werner returned to Leipzig the following year, where he went on to score 11 goals in 35 games across two seasons. He would return to London once again, spending the 2024/25 season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, where he helped the club lift the UEFA Europa League.

However, since returning to Germany in the summer of 2025, it has been a challenging period for Werner, who played just 13 minutes in the Bundesliga in 2025/26.

He’ll now be hoping he can get back to his explosive best with San Jose, and fire the side to a first MLS Cup win in over two decades. 

Watch: The best of Timo Werner in the Bundesliga

Werner brings a wealth of international experience to San Jose, having represented Germany 57 times since making his debut for the side in a 2017 friendly against England. Last featuring internationally in 2023, he has averaged a goal every 214 minutes for his country. 

"Timo Werner is and remains an undeniable part of the success story of RB Leipzig," said Leipzig's managing director for sport Marcel Schäfer. "He played a major role in the club’s outstanding first few Bundesliga seasons, becoming a Germany international during his time here.

"He and Leipzig played their first Champions League match together, later winning two domestic titles. He will most likely remain RBL’s record goalscorer for a number of years.

"Despite the difficult situation in recent months, Timo has acted in an incredibly professional manner, and we have now found a solution to suit all parties. We wish him all the best in the MLS and the USA, both professionally and personally."

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