John Brooks (soccer, born 1993) explained

John Brooks
Fullname:John Anthony Brooks Jr.[1]
Birth Date:January 28, 1993
Birth Place:Berlin, Germany
Height:1.94 m[2]
Position:Center-back
Youthclubs1:Hertha BSC
Years1:2011–2015
Clubs1:Hertha BSC II
Caps1:37
Goals1:2
Years2:2012–2017
Clubs2:Hertha BSC
Caps2:119
Goals2:7
Years3:2017–2022
Clubs3:VfL Wolfsburg
Caps3:126
Goals3:6
Years4:2022–2023
Clubs4:Benfica
Caps4:2
Goals4:0
Years5:2023–2024
Clubs5:TSG Hoffenheim
Caps5:36
Goals5:2
Nationalyears1:2010–2011
Nationalteam1:United States U20
Nationalcaps1:4
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2011–2015
Nationalteam2:United States U23
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2012
Nationalteam3:Germany U20
Nationalcaps3:1
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2013–2021
Nationalteam4:United States
Nationalcaps4:45
Nationalgoals4:3
Pcupdate:May 15, 2024
Ntupdate:September 8, 2021

John Anthony Brooks Jr. (born January 28, 1993) is a professional soccer player who plays as a center-back. Born in Germany, he represents the United States national team.[3]

He began his career at hometown club Hertha BSC, making his professional debut in 2012 and totaling 130 games and nine goals for the club. The team won the 2. Bundesliga in 2012–13. In 2017, he transferred to VfL Wolfsburg for €20 million, a record at the time for an American player.

Brooks represented both Germany and the United States at youth international level, qualifying for the latter through his father. He made his senior international debut in 2013 and represented the nation at three tournaments, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Early life

Brooks is the son of an American serviceman from Chicago, Illinois, and was born and raised in Berlin, Germany. He has a map of Illinois tattooed on his left elbow and one of Berlin on his right. He has never lived in the United States.[4] [5]

Club career

Hertha BSC

Brooks came through the ranks of his hometown club, Hertha BSC. He reached Hertha's reserve team halfway through the 2010–11 season, although he still had a year and a half of remaining eligibility for the U-19 team. Brooks signed a four-year professional contract with Hertha after the season, turning down interest from Bayern Munich. Brooks spent nearly all of the 2011–12 season with Hertha II, taking a brief foray back to the U-19 team. Brooks continued to grow during this time, reaching 6'4".

Hertha suffered relegation from the Bundesliga in 2012. After the departure of some players and his form in preseason, Brooks made his professional debut as a starter in Hertha's 2. Bundesliga opener on August 3, 2012, a 2–2 draw with SC Paderborn 07 at the Olympiastadion. He played 29 matches over the season as the team won the league title and promotion, and scored once in the last game of the season on May 19, 2013, a late equalizer in a 1–1 home draw with Energie Cottbus.[6]

Brooks scored in his Bundesliga debut on August 10, 2013, in Hertha BSC's 6–1 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt.[7] [8] His appearances over the season were limited by injury and poor form, and he also missed time in April 2014 while recovering from the application of a large back tattoo, a decision that did not please manager Jos Luhukay.[9]

On December 17, 2014, Brooks opened the scoring for Hertha in a 4–4 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt that saw Berlin throw away a two-goal lead in the final minute.[10] During the 2014–15 Bundesliga season, Brooks won 68% of his direct duels in a total of 27 league appearances for the club, ranking third best among Bundesliga players making at least 17 appearances.[11] Brooks also had a pass accuracy of 75% while finishing top 12 in the Bundesliga in clearances per match.[12]

In the 2015–16 season, Brooks played four matches in Hertha's run to the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal. On December 15, he headed the second goal of a 2–0 win at 1. FC Nürnberg in the last 16 of the tournament.[13]

VfL Wolfsburg

On May 31, 2017, Brooks signed with fellow Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg.[14] The reported €20 million transfer fee was a record for an American soccer player at the time, later broken by Christian Pulisic's €64 million transfer to Chelsea in 2019.[15] [16] He made his debut on August 13 in the first round of the DFB-Pokal away to fourth-tier Eintracht Norderstedt, but suffered a torn thigh tendon and was substituted in the first half of the 1–0 win, being ruled out for the next three months.[17] On October 28, he returned to the team to start on his league debut for the club, a 1–1 draw at Schalke 04.[18] Affected by injury all through his first season at the Volkswagen Arena, Brooks totaled just ten appearances before playing the full 180 minutes of the 4–1 playoff win over Holstein Kiel that kept his team in the Bundesliga for the following season.[19]

On March 2, 2022, it was confirmed that Brooks would leave Wolfsburg at the end of the season.[20]

Benfica

On September 1, 2022, Brooks signed a one-year contract with Primeira Liga side Benfica on a free transfer.[21] He made his Primeira Liga debut on September 18, replacing António Silva in the 89th minute in the 5–0 home win over Marítimo.[22]

TSG Hoffenheim

On January 26, 2023, Brooks returned to the Bundesliga, signing a two-year contract with TSG Hoffenheim, for a reported fee of €500,000.[23]

Brooks left Hoffenheim at the end of the 2023–24 season.[24]

International career

Brooks, who holds both German and American citizenship, participated in several camps for both the U.S. U-20 and U-23 team and in one for the Germany U20 team.[25] He made his international debut for the U.S. Under-20 team in a 5–0 loss against Paraguay in September 2010.[26]

In July 2013, German magazine kicker indicated that Brooks had received a call-up from the U.S. senior national team to feature in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.[27] Brooks made his senior international debut in the 4–3 victory over Bosnia.Brooks was named in the United States's final 23-man roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[28] In the opening group match against Ghana, he came on as a halftime injury substitute for Matt Besler and scored the winning goal in the 2–1 victory, a header off Graham Zusi's corner kick.[29] He became the first American to score as a substitute at the World Cup.[30]

On June 5, 2015, Brooks scored in a friendly against the Netherlands in Amsterdam as the United States fought back from a 1–3 deficit to win 4–3, their first victory against the Dutch.[31] Later that month, he was named in coach Jürgen Klinsmann's squad for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup,[32] playing four matches as the team finished fourth.

Klinsmann also called Brooks up for the Copa América Centenario, the centenary edition of the Copa América held in the United States in 2016.[33] He played all five matches as the nation lost 4–0 to Argentina in the semi-finals, but did not take part in the bronze medal match loss to Colombia.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Hertha BSC II2010–11[34] Regionalliga Nord160————160
2011–12[35] 150————150
2013–14[36] Regionalliga Nordost32————32
2014–1520————20
2015–1610————10
Total372————372
Hertha BSC2012–13[37] 2. Bundesliga291————291
2013–14Bundesliga16210———172
2014–1527110———281
2015–1623141———272
2016–17[38] 24230—20—292
Total119791—20—1308
VfL Wolfsburg2017–18[39] Bundesliga9010——20120
2018–1929330———323
2019–2025010—51—311
2020–2132220—10—352
2021–2231110—40—361
Total126680—101201467
Benfica2022–23Primeira Liga201020——50
TSG Hoffenheim2022–23Bundesliga15010———160
2023–2421220———232
Total36230———392
Career total32017211201212035719

International

Scores and results list United States' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Brooks goal.

List of international goals scored by John Brooks
No.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1June 16, 2014Arena das Dunas, Natal, Brazil52–12–12014 FIFA World Cup
2June 5, 2015Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands112–34–3Friendly
3May 28, 2016Children's Mercy Park, Kansas City, United States212–04–0Friendly

Honors

Hertha BSC

2013–14[6]

Benfica

2022–23[40]

United States

2019–20[41]

Individual

2011–2020[42]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil List of Players . FIFA . https://web.archive.org/web/20200201131956/https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2014/pdf/fwc_2014_squadlists.pdf . 1 February 2020 . 32.
  2. Web site: Hoffenheim . TSG 1899 . John Anthony Brooks . 2023-02-22 . www.tsg-hoffenheim.de . de-DE . February 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230220090028/https://www.tsg-hoffenheim.de/teams/profis/team/einzelportraet/show/john-anthony-brooks . live .
  3. Web site: Brooks: 'It Was Not A Hard Decision To Play For The USA' . ussoccer.com . 14 August 2013 . 14 August 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130817165311/http://www.ussoccer.com/news/mens-national-team/2013/08/brooks-it-was-not-a-hard-decision-to-play-for-the-usa.aspx . 17 August 2013 .
  4. News: Powers . Scott . USA's John Brooks return to 'hometown' Chicago for first time in 20 years . 17 June 2018 . Major League Soccer . 5 June 2016 . June 17, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180617220113/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/06/05/usas-john-brooks-return-hometown-chicago-first-time-20-years . live .
  5. News: Peralta . Eyder . After His Game-Winning Goal, We Ask, Who Is John Brooks? . 17 June 2018 . NPR . 17 June 2014 . June 17, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180617215919/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2014/06/17/322897921/after-his-game-winning-goal-we-ask-who-is-john-brooks . live .
  6. News: Brooks rettet die Aufstiegsparty im Olympiastadion . 17 June 2018 . Der Tagesspiegel . 19 May 2013 . June 17, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180617220008/https://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/hertha-cottbus-1-1-brooks-rettet-die-aufstiegsparty-im-olympiastadion/8227624.html . live .
  7. Web site: Berlin : Frankfurt 6–1(2–1) . bundesliga.com . 10 August 2013 . 15 August 2013 . June 6, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140606202234/http://www.bundesliga.com/en/stats/matchday/?matchid=145161&season=2013&liga=51&round=1 . live .
  8. News: Honigstein . Raphael . Hertha Berlin return with a bang and give the manager a sleepless night . 17 June 2018 . The Guardian . 12 August 2013 . June 18, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180618002529/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/aug/12/bundesliga-blog-hertha-berlin . live .
  9. News: Uersfeld . Stephan . Reports: Tattoo gets Brooks benched . 17 June 2018 . ESPN FC . 17 April 2014 . June 17, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180617215924/http://www.espn.co.uk/football/news/story/_/id/1788570/hertha-berlin-benches-john-brooks-tattoo-flap-reports . live .
  10. Web site: MEIER MAGIC RESCUES FRANKFURT IN EIGHT-GOAL THRILLER . Bundesliga . 17 December 2014 . 8 June 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150610185715/http://www.bundesliga.com/en/liga/news/2014/0000309572.php . 10 June 2015 .
  11. Web site: John Brooks close to sealing United States spot – Jurgen Klinsmann . ESPNFC . June 8, 2015 . 8 June 2015 . June 10, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150610153109/http://www.espnfc.us/united-states/story/2483125/john-brooks-close-to-sealing-us-spot-jurgen-klinsmann . live .
  12. Web site: A year removed from Ghana goal, John Anthony Brooks ready to step into bigger role for USMNT . MLS Soccer . 3 June 2015 . 8 June 2015 . June 7, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150607011711/http://www.mlssoccer.com/goldcup/2015/news/article/2015/06/03/year-removed-ghana-goal-john-anthony-brooks-ready-step-bigger-role-usmnt . dead .
  13. News: Banizo . Franco . John Brooks scores header in German Cup win . 17 June 2018 . SBI . 16 December 2015 . June 17, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180617220045/https://sbisoccer.com/2015/12/john-brooks-scores-header-in-german-cup-win . live .
  14. Web site: Brooks signs: The central defender is making the move from Hertha BSC to VfL Wolfsburg. VfL Wolfsburg. vfl-wolfsburg.de/en. 31 May 2017. en. 31 May 2017. October 14, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171014223419/https://www.vfl-wolfsburg.de/en/info/news/detailspage/artikel/brooks-signs-46358.html. live.
  15. Web site: Rosenblatt. Ryan. John Brooks sets American record with transfer to Wolfsburg. Fox Sports. foxsports.com. 31 May 2017. 31 May 2017. June 3, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170603045652/http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/john-brooks-wolfsburg-transfer-news-hertha-usmnt-053117. live.
  16. News: Gonzalez . Roger . Pulisic to Chelsea: The numbers behind the transfer from Borussia Dortmund to the Premier League . 5 February 2021 . CBS Sports . 2 January 2019 . July 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210726051825/https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/pulisic-to-chelsea-the-numbers-behind-the-transfer-from-borussia-dortmund-to-the-premier-league/#:~:text=The%20move%20shatters%20transfer%20record,times%20that%20at%20%2473%20million. . live .
  17. News: Wolfsburg's John Brooks ruled out for at least three months . 17 June 2018 . Bundesliga . 17 August 2017 . June 17, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180617215844/https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/Bundesliga/wolfsburg-s-john-brooks-ruled-out-for-at-least-three-months-456963.jsp . live .
  18. News: Valentine . Ben . Americans Abroad: Brooks makes Wolfsburg return . 17 June 2018 . Goal.com . 30 October 2017 . June 17, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180617220047/http://www.goal.com/brasilglobaltour/en/news/725/bundesliga/2017/10/30/39843452/americans-abroad-brooks-makes-wolfsburg-return . live .
  19. News: Henry . Larry Jr. . John Brooks, Wolfsburg remain in Bundesliga after playoff victory . 17 June 2018 . SBI . 22 May 2018 . June 17, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180617220054/https://sbisoccer.com/2018/05/john-brooks-wolfsburg-remain-in-bundesliga-after-playoff-victory . live .
  20. Web site: Mendola . Nicholas . March 2, 2022 . USMNT defender John Brooks will leave Wolfsburg this summer . March 3, 2022 . . March 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220302134401/https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2022/03/02/usmnt-defender-john-brooks-will-leave-wolfsburg-this-summer/ . live .
  21. Web site: USMNT hopeful Brooks signs with Benfica . September 2022 . September 3, 2022 . September 3, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220903020538/https://www.espn.com/soccer/soccer-transfers/story/4735912/usmnt-hopeful-john-brooks-signs-with-portuguese-side-benfica . live .
  22. Web site: CNN em jogo - Draxler estreia-se a marcar pelo Benfica. CNN Portugal. pt. 18 September 2022. 20 September 2022. October 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221005054920/https://cnnportugal.iol.pt/videos/cnn-em-jogo-draxler-estreia-se-a-marcar-pelo-benfica/632782080cf26256cd365962. live.
  23. News: Oficial: Brooks confirmado na Alemanha. Official: Brooks confirmed in Germany. Abola. 26 January 2023. 26 January 2023. pt. January 26, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230126140509/https://www.abola.pt/amp/2023-01-26/benfica-oficial-brooks-anunciado-na-alemanha/973989. dead.
  24. Web site: TSG Hoffenheim. Central defensive duo depart TSG Hoffenheim. May 21, 2024. July 2, 2024.
  25. Web site: Brooks, John Anthony . de . bz-berlin.de . 23 August 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131029220057/http://www.bz-berlin.de/sport/hertha-bsc/hertha-bubis-tankten-kraft-beim-dfb-article1522046.html . 29 October 2013 .
  26. Web site: U.S. U-20 MNT Drops Opening Match to Paraguay . ussoccer.com . 26 July 2013 . 6 September 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120819144611/http://www.ussoccer.com/News/U-20-MNT/2010/09/U20-MNT-Drops-Opening-Match-to-Paraguay.aspx . 19 August 2012 .
  27. Web site: Hertha einigt sich mit Schulz. kicker.de. 26 July 2013. de. 26 July 2013. July 28, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130728022229/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/startseite/589841/artikel_hertha-einigt-sich-mit-schulz.html. live.
  28. Web site: Klinsmann Names 30-Player Preliminary Roster for 2014 FIFA World Cup . U.S. Soccer . 17 June 2014 . May 14, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140514111257/http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/05/12/13/23/140512-mnt-prelim-roster . live .
  29. News: USA vs Ghana, World Cup 2014: live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140616175733/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/10903374/USA-vs-Ghana-World-Cup-2014-live.html. dead. 16 June 2014. Fanning. Evan. 17 June 2014. The Telegraph. 17 June 2014.
  30. Web site: USA vs. Ghana – Brooks Stunner Hands USA 2–1 Win. 18 June 2014. 28 June 2014. U.S. Soccer. July 2, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140702005701/http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/06/15/16/42/140616-mntvgha-matchday. live.
  31. News: U.S. rallies from two down to stun Netherlands in friendly. 5 December 2015. ESPN. 5 June 2015. December 27, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151227055722/http://www.espnfc.co.uk/international-friendly/match/413446/netherlands-united-states/report. live.
  32. News: Klinsmann Calls 23 Players to Defend Gold Cup Title. 5 December 2015. U.S. Soccer. 23 June 2015. June 24, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150624010133/http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2015/06/23/10/30/150623-mnt-gold-cup-roster-release. live.
  33. News: Klinsmann names 23 player roster for historic Copa America Centenario . 17 June 2018 . U.S. Soccer . 28 May 2016 . May 28, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160528144852/https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2016/05/21/18/57/160521-mnt-klinsmann-names-23-player-roster-for-historic-copa-america-centenario . live .
  34. Web site: John Anthony Brooks. kicker.de. kicker. November 20, 2015. de. August 13, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160813143120/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/2010-11/67717/vereinsspieler_brooks-john-anthony.html. live.
  35. Web site: John Anthony Brooks. kicker.de. kicker. November 20, 2015. de. April 1, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160401211848/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/2011-12/67717/vereinsspieler_brooks-john-anthony.html. live.
  36. Web site: John Anthony Brooks » Club matches. World Football. November 20, 2015. November 20, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151120183933/http://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/john-anthony-brooks/2/. live.
  37. Web site: John Anthony Brooks. kicker.de. kicker. November 20, 2015. de. April 2, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160402045538/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/2012-13/67717/vereinsspieler_brooks-john-anthony.html. live.
  38. Web site: John Anthony Brooks. kicker.de. kicker. May 18, 2018. de. May 25, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180525165817/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/2016-17/67717/vereinsspieler_brooks-john-anthony.html. live.
  39. Web site: John Anthony Brooks. kicker.de. kicker. May 18, 2018. de. May 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180518130629/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/2017-18/67717/vereinsspieler_brooks-john-anthony.html. live.
  40. Web site: Benfica crowned champions of Portugal. PortuGOAL. Kundert. Tom. 27 May 2023. 27 May 2023. May 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230528132616/https://portugoal.net/club-news/3242-benfica-crowned-champions-of-portugal. live.
  41. Web site: Christian Pulisic, Ethan Horvath lead U.S. over Mexico in Nations League final . . June 6, 2021 . April 25, 2023 . June 7, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210607043525/https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=570981 . live .
  42. Web site: IFFHS MAN TEAM - CONCACAF - OF THE DECADE 2011-2020. IFFHS. 29 January 2021. 31 January 2021. August 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230813223950/https://www.iffhs.com/index.php/posts/928. live.
  43. CONCACAF. CNationsLeague. 1402064406738092034. June 7, 2021. Here is the Best XI of the Concacaf Nations League Finals. June 7, 2021.

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