One of the former U.S. men’s national team’s once promising prospects is set to become a free agent after a year of not playing.
Ulysses Llanez’s contract with German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg will officially expire on June 30. Llanez, 23, missed the entire league campaign due to an unspecified injury after suffering a serious car accident.
“We were in exchange with his consultant the whole time,” VfL sports director Sebastian Schindzielorz said in an interview with Kicker. “Unfortunately, he had a serious car accident last year, which made a flight to Germany impossible.
“Ulysses’ contract now expires, we wish him all the best for his future,” added Schindzielorz.
The former U.S. youth national team standout moved to Wolfsburg in 2019 from the LA Galaxy academy. He enjoyed success with Wolfsburg’s Under-19 team, scoring 11 goals and adding six assists in 16 appearances.
Llanez also spent time two seasons on loan with Austrian side SKN. St. Poelten and one season with Dutch club Heerenveen. He scored 13 goals and added seven assists in 49 combined appearances with St. Poelten but failed to find the back of the net in Holland.
On the international level, Llanez debuted for the USMNT against Costa Rica in January 2020, scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 triumph. Llanez also played in November friendlies that year against Wales and Panama.
Whether or not Llanez continues his career remains to be seen, but he remains an exciting prospect for many clubs if he is able to get back onto the field.
