Joshua Thomas Sargent (born February 20, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward or winger for EFL Championship club Norwich City and the United States national team.

Josh Sargent
Sargent with the United States at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name Joshua Thomas Sargent[1]
Date of birth (2000-02-20) February 20, 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth O'Fallon, Missouri, United States
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Position(s) Forward, winger
Team information
Current team
Norwich City
Number 9
Youth career
2008–2016 St. Louis Scott Gallagher
2016–2017 IMG Academy
2017–2018 Werder Bremen
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018 Werder Bremen II 12 (7)
2018–2021 Werder Bremen 72 (13)
2021– Norwich City 101 (35)
International career
2015–2017 United States U17 48 (30)
2017 United States U20 6 (4)
2019 United States U23 2 (0)
2018– United States 27 (5)
Medal record
Representing  United States
Men's soccer
CONCACAF Under-17 Championship
Runner-up 2017 Panama
CONCACAF Nations League
Winner 2021 United States
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 7, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of October 15, 2024

In May 2017, at the age of 17, Sargent became the youngest U.S. player to score at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.[3]

Early life

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Sargent was born in O'Fallon, Missouri, to Jeff and Liane Sargent, both of whom played college-level soccer. Sargent joined the Scott Gallagher Soccer Club at eight years old.[4] He attended St. Dominic for part of his high school years before moving to Florida to join the U.S. residency program.[5] He was ranked as the No. 2 high school soccer player in the country.[5]

Club career

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Early career

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Sargent played for Scott Gallagher Missouri, a U.S. Soccer Development Academy club from St. Louis, Missouri.[6] After his impressive performance at the 2016 Nike International Friendlies, he spent two weeks training with Sporting Kansas City in the summer of 2016 and the MLS club acquired the player's acquisition rights,[7] as St. Louis is in Sporting Kansas City's homegrown player territory.[8] In October of the same year, Sargent spent a week-long training spell with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. In January 2017, after being called for the United States U20 team, he trained with German club FC Schalke 04.[9][10][11]

Werder Bremen

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On September 20, 2017, Werder Bremen announced that Sargent would join the club on January 1, 2018, and then sign a professional contract on his 18th birthday, per FIFA rules.[12] He played with the club's under-23 squad in a friendly match and signed his contract on February 20, 2018, making him eligible to join the first team for the 2018–19 season.[13]

On December 7, 2018, Sargent made his debut for the Werder Bremen first team, coming on as a substitute in the 76th minute in a match against Fortuna Düsseldorf. He scored with his first touch of the match in the 78th minute, the fastest goal by a debutant in club history.[14]

In February 2019, Sargent agreed to a "long-term" contract extension with the club.[15]

Norwich City

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2021–22 season

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On August 9, 2021, Sargent left Werder Bremen to join Premier League club Norwich City on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee,[16] reported as in the region of €9.5 million.[17] Five days later, he made his debut in a 3–0 home defeat against Liverpool after coming on as a substitute at 77th minute in place of his former Werder Bremen teammate Milot Rashica.[18] He scored his first two goals for the club on August 24, in an emphatic 6–0 victory over Bournemouth in the second round of the EFL Cup.[19] On January 21, 2022, Sargent scored his first league goals of the season, one of them a scorpion-kick, in a 3–0 win over fellow Premier League relegation battlers Watford.[20]

2022–23 season

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Sargent remained at Norwich following their relegation. Sargent scored his first goal of the season in Norwich's first league win of the season against Huddersfield Town.[21] Three days later, he notched a brace in a 2–0 win against Millwall.[22] Sargent continued his goal-scoring form, netting the winner for Norwich away to Sunderland,[23] before netting in back-to-back games for the second time of the season in victories against Coventry City[24] and Bristol City[25] respectively. He scored in back-to-back games again, this time in defeats at home against Preston North End,[26] and away to Watford.[27] He scored again in a 2–1 home defeat against Middlesbrough, in Norwich's final match before the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[28]

After returning from representing the United States at the World Cup, Sargent's goal scoring form slowed, however he still netted in Norwich's 4–2 away win against Coventry,[24] and again two weeks later in a 3–1 home win over Hull City.[29] However Sargent suffered an ankle injury in a goal-less draw away to Wigan Athletic, and would miss the next three games.[30]

International career

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Youth

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Sargent first appeared in a United States under-14 camp in 2013. In the same year, he was called for the United States under-15.

In 2015, he joined the Under-17 MNT Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida. He was a key part of the team that won the 2016 Nike International Friendlies, scoring four goals and notching two assists in three matches.[9] On April 17, 2017, Sargent was included by coach John Hackworth in the 20-man squad chosen to represent United States at the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship.[31] He scored five goals in the tournament, including two goals in a victory over Mexico.[32] He led the United States as they reached the final and qualified for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Only two days later, Sargent was surprisingly included by coach Tab Ramos in the 21-man squad called to represent United States at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[33] On May 22, the Americans debuted in the tournament against Ecuador. Sargent started the match and scored two goals, helping his team to tie the match and becoming the youngest American player to ever score in an under-20 World Cup.[3][34][35] Sargent is the second American player, after Freddy Adu, to play in both the under-17 and under-20 World Cups in the same year.[36] On June 1, 2017, after scoring against New Zealand, Sargent joined Jozy Altidore, Eddie Johnson and Taylor Twellman, becoming one of the United States's all-time leading goalscorers at the under-20 World Cup.[37]

Senior

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On November 7, 2017, Sargent received his first senior call up for a friendly against Portugal. He thus became the only American player ever to appear in an under-17, under-20, and senior camp in the same calendar year.[38] On May 28, 2018, Sargent earned his first cap for the senior team in a friendly against Bolivia and scored his first international goal. He became the fourth-youngest player to score for the United States, until Timothy Weah, two days younger than Sargent, scored his first goal minutes later.[39][40]

On November 9, 2022, Sargent was named in the United States 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Sargent would play in all 3 of the United States' group matches, starting the games against Wales and Iran. Sargent hit the post with a header early in the match against Wales.[41] He was substituted after picking up an ankle injury against Iran. This ruled Sargent out of the United States' round of 16 clash against the Netherlands.[42]

Personal life

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Sargent is married to Kirsten Lepping. They were engaged in August 2020. He has one daughter who was born on January 13, 2022.[43]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played October 7, 2024[44]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Werder Bremen II 2018–19 Regionalliga Nord 12 7 12 7
Werder Bremen 2018–19 Bundesliga 10 2 10 2
2019–20 Bundesliga 28 4 4 0 2[c] 0 34 4
2020–21 Bundesliga 32 5 3 2 35 7
2021–22 2. Bundesliga 2 2 2 2
Total 72 13 7 2 2 0 81 15
Norwich City 2021–22 Premier League 26 2 2 0 1 2 29 4
2022–23 Championship 40 13 1 0 41 13
2023–24 Championship 26 16 1 0 1 0 2[d] 0 30 16
2024–25 Championship 9 4 0 0 0 0 9 4
Total 101 35 3 0 3 2 2 0 109 37
Career total 185 55 10 2 3 2 4 0 202 59
  1. ^ Includes DFB-Pokal and FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in Bundesliga relegation play-offs
  4. ^ Appearances in Championship play-offs

International

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As of match played October 15, 2024[45]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National Team Year Apps Goals
United States 2018 6 2
2019 6 3
2020 0 0
2021 7 0
2022 4 0
2023 0 0
2024 4 0
Total 27 5
Scores and results list United States' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sargent goal.
List of international goals scored by Josh Sargent
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 May 28, 2018 Talen Energy Stadium, Chester, United States 1   Bolivia 2–0 3–0 Friendly
2 October 16, 2018 Pratt & Whitney Stadium, East Hartford, United States 5   Peru 1–0 1–1 Friendly
3 October 11, 2019 Audi Field, Washington, D.C., United States 10   Cuba 6–0 7–0 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League A
4 November 19, 2019 Truman Bodden Sports Complex, George Town, Cayman Islands 12   Cuba 1–0 4–0 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League A
5 4–0

Honors

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United States U17

United States

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "2021/22 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. September 10, 2021. Archived from the original on September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  2. ^ "Josh Sargent". Norwich City F.C. Archived from the original on August 24, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD JOSH SARGENT BECOMES YOUNGEST U.S. PLAYER TO SCORE AT FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP". U.S. Soccer Federation. May 22, 2017. Archived from the original on May 25, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  4. ^ "Josh Sargent: The pride of soccer-rich St. Louis" Archived April 21, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, Soccer America, Mike Wotalla, May 26, 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Former St. Dominic student Sargent realizing dream with U-17 national team" Archived March 28, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Steve Overbey, October 8, 2016.
  6. ^ "Is Josh Sargent USA Soccer's Next Star? Amazing Goal Vs. Mexico Hints 'Yes'". NESN. April 27, 2017. Archived from the original on May 25, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  7. ^ Galarcep, Ives. "The Chinese league is continuing to spend big money, and it's time for MLS to start taking it seriously as a threat to the American league's transfer plans". Goal. Archived from the original on June 10, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  8. ^ "Josh Sargent U17 National Team Update" Archived April 14, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Soccer STL, August 24, 2016.
  9. ^ a b "Five Things to Know About Forward Josh Sargent". USSoccer. Archived from the original on December 25, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  10. ^ Overbey, Steve (October 8, 2016). "Former St. Dominic student Sargent realizing dream with U-17 national team". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on March 28, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  11. ^ "Josh Sargent Training at Schalke". Soccer STL. January 29, 2017. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  12. ^ Goff, Steven. "U.S. teenager Josh Sargent to sign with Werder Bremen". Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 5, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  13. ^ Creditor, Avi (February 20, 2018). "USA's Josh Sargent Turns 18, Signs His Contract With Werder Bremen". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  14. ^ "'Beginner's luck' – Sargent scores with first touch on Bundesliga debut". Goal. December 7, 2018. Archived from the original on April 24, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  15. ^ "Josh Sargent signs long-term extension with Werder Bremen". ESPN. February 26, 2019. Archived from the original on February 27, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
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  18. ^ Glendenning, Barry (August 14, 2022). "Norwich City 0-3 Liverpool: Premier League – as it happened!". The Guardian. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  19. ^ "Norwich hit Bournemouth for six in cup". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  20. ^ "Norwich out of bottom three as Sargent double puts Watford in trouble". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  21. ^ "Match centre - Norwich City vs Huddersfield Town". Norwich City Football Club. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  22. ^ "Match centre - Norwich City vs Millwall". Norwich City Football Club. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  23. ^ "Norwich City vs Sunderland live score, H2H results, standings and prediction". Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  24. ^ a b "Coventry City vs Norwich City live score, H2H and lineups". www.sofascore.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  25. ^ "Bristol City vs Norwich City live score, H2H and lineups". www.sofascore.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  26. ^ "Preston North End vs Norwich City live score, H2H and lineups". www.sofascore.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
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  28. ^ "Middlesbrough vs Norwich City live score, H2H and lineups". www.sofascore.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  29. ^ "Norwich City vs Hull City live score, H2H and lineups". www.sofascore.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  30. ^ "Josh Sargent ruled out for next two Norwich City matches - SBI Soccer". sbisoccer.com. February 20, 2023. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  31. ^ "Hackworth Names 20-player Roster for 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship". USSoccer. Archived from the original on April 19, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  32. ^ "Want to see a great goal? Watch Josh Sargent in U.S. U-17’s 4–3 win over Mexico" Archived May 8, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Washington Post, Steven Goff, April 26, 2017.
  33. ^ "RAMOS NAMES USA ROSTER FOR 2017 FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP IN KOREA REPUBLIC". USSoccer. Archived from the original on May 15, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  34. ^ Simpson, Christopher. "Josh Sargent Brace Inspires USA to 3–3 Ecuador Comeback at 2017 U-20 World Cup". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  35. ^ "Young Guns Sargent, De La Torre Fire USA to 3–3 Comeback Draw in World Cup Opener vs. Ecuador". USSoccer. Archived from the original on May 25, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  36. ^ "Josh Sargent: Who is USA's 17-year-old rising soccer star?" Archived July 1, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Sports Illustrated, May 25, 2017.
  37. ^ "Sargent comes of age in Korea Republic". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on June 1, 2017. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  38. ^ "SARACHAN CALLS 21 PLAYERS FOR FRIENDLY VS. EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS PORTUGAL". USSOCCER. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  39. ^ Blum, Ronald (May 28, 2018). "Sargent & Weah, both 18, score as US beats Bolivia 3–0". San Francisco Chronicle. Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 29, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  40. ^ "USA 3–0 Bolivia". BBC Sport. May 29, 2018. Archived from the original on July 18, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  41. ^ "USA vs Wales live score, H2H and lineups". www.sofascore.com. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  42. ^ "'I can't even look' - Norwich star Sargent suffers freak injury during USA win". talkSPORT. November 30, 2022. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  43. ^ Mutch, Michael (January 13, 2022). "Every word Norwich boss Dean Smith said on Todd Cantwell, Josh Sargent and the West Ham defeat". Norfolk Live. Archived from the original on January 13, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  44. ^ "Josh Sargent » Club matches". WorldFootball.net. Archived from the original on August 15, 2018. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  45. ^ "Sargent, Josh". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  46. ^ "CONCACAF U-17 contenders confirmed". Oceania Football Confederation. May 9, 2017. Archived from the original on August 25, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  47. ^ Coreschi, Colton (April 17, 2017). "Carleton, Weah, Sargent headline U.S. U-17 roster for CONCACAF U-17 Championship". SBI Soccerway. Archived from the original on August 25, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  48. ^ "Christian Pulisic, Ethan Horvath lead U.S. over Mexico in Nations League final". ESPN. June 6, 2021. Archived from the original on June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
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