USMNT's Weston McKennie 'honored' to be Juventus' first American player

Juventus had never signed an American player before Weston McKennie, and the USMNT midfielder couldn't be happier to be a member of the Serie A club. 

McKennie discussed his move to Juventus in a news conference on Monday and said it's very special to be the club's first American signing in history, according to ESPN. 

"It is a great honour to be the first American player in the history of Juventus," McKennie said."Having the opportunity to wear this shirt, representing my country and bringing young Americans closer to football makes me proud.

"Juventus is an international club, it is famous all over the world. In the United States, shops sell the jerseys. If I can contribute to further growth of the brand, I will be delighted."

McKennie secured a move from Schalke to Juventus last month on a one-year loan. The 22-year-old has an option to permanently join Juve at the end of the 2020-21 campaign. 

The midfielder also attracted interest from Premier League clubs Newcastle and Southampton this summer but added it was an easy decision for him to choose Juventus over the two English sides. 

McKennie is Juve's first signing of the Andrea Pirlo era and is the latest U.S. player to join an elite club. Christian Pulisic is at Chelsea while Tyler Adams and Gio Reyna compete with RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund, respectively.