Sporting KC nearing deal to transfer 17-year-old Erik Palmer-Brown overseas

Sporting Kansas City is on the verge of transferring 17-year-old homegrown product Erik Palmer-Brown to Italian club Juventus, Sporting Club CEO Robb Heineman said Wednesday.

Because Sporting KC would receive a fee for the transfer, the club would not retain his rights within the league. But Juventus has expressed a willingness to loan Palmer-Brown back to Sporting KC until he is ready for significant minutes.

“I’d say it’s an 80-20 thing that it will happen,” Heineman said. “I think they’re interested. I think the player is interested in going there.

“I think the way it would work out, there’s probably a likelihood that we would still retain him as a player, even if they had ownership of his (rights).”

Heineman said the two clubs have agreed to the terms of the deal, which has been in the negotiation process for nearly a year, including the money that would be shipped to Sporting KC. He declined to disclose that amount.

Palmer-Brown, 17, became the youngest player in MLS history to start a match at defender when he made his league debut last May. He is a senior at O’Hara High School and has been a member of the Sporting Academy since June 2009.

He said Wednesday he has always dreamed of playing soccer in Europe.

“Since it’s a dream growing up, it is something that I (would) welcome,” Palmer-Brown said. “But I have to focus on what’s now — improving myself to get better now.”

Juventus plays in Serie A, which is the top flight division in Italy.

This story was originally published March 4, 2015 at 8:39 PM with the headline "Sporting KC nearing deal to transfer 17-year-old Erik Palmer-Brown overseas."