United States forward Jordan Morris will join Werder Bremen next week during their winter training camp, the Bundesliga club said on Tuesday.
Later in the day, Stanford announced Morris would turn professional after helping the Cardinal win the NCAA College Cup last month, ending any doubt he could return for his senior year.
The 21-year-old has already earned seven international caps for the U.S. and coach Jurgen Klinsmann has said Morris "obviously has to" go pro.
.@JmoSmooth13 embarks on professional career » https://t.co/ArCS77UMER #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/2BNyTMXRtV
- StanfordMen'sSoccer (@StanfordMSoccer) January 5, 2016
Morris wrote on Twitter that turning pro was a "tough decision."
I am very excited for the next chapter of my career! To my friends and to this amazing place, thank you! #GoCard pic.twitter.com/0hcR9vwt3k
- Jordan Morris (@JmoSmooth13) January 5, 2016
Morris has spent time with the Seattle Sounders' youth programs and is eligible to join the team on a lucrative homegrown deal, thereby skipping the MLS SuperDraft, and Goal.com reported this week that he was "in advanced negotiations" with the Sounders for his first pro contract.
But the striker will first explore his options in Europe as he joins Werder Bremen for training on Monday in Belek, Turkey.
"It's an opportunity for us to get to know the player better. Nothing more and nothing less," club CEO Thomas Eichin said in a statement.
US international Jordan #Morris will train with #Werder in Belek. Read more from Eichin: https://t.co/vqh2g6iBbq pic.twitter.com/nDtu2qm1Mb
- SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) January 5, 2016
Morris' U.S. teammate Aron Johannsson is already a member of the Bremen squad but has been out since September with a hip injury.
Morris is a key figure on the U.S. under-23 team that faces Colombia in March for a chance to qualify for the Olympics, and he's also expected to join the senior national team for training camp later this month.
Also on Tuesday, United States youth international Christian Pulisic was promoted to first team training at Borussia Dortmund.