Go West - German football exports to North America

The Borussia Dortmund legend left the Bundesliga side in 2024 and signed for the LA Galaxy. Reus' timing couldn't have been better. He played 11 games in his first season, but helped the Galaxy secure their first MLS Cup in a decade. It was also the first league title of Reus' career. At 36, Reus is expected to retire at the end of the current season.

One of the greatest players to have ever played, Prinz made a bold move to join the Carolina Courage in 2002. At the time, the Courage were part of the WUSA, the world's first women's soccer league where women were paid as pros. After winning the WUSA championship and the MVP, Prinz returned to Germany to play for another eight years, scoring and winning at will.

"Der Kaiser" left Bayern Munich for the New York Cosmos in 1977 as one of a number of star signings that included Pele. In four seasons in New York, Beckenbauer won the NASL title three times before returning to Germany. After two years with Hamburg, he was persuaded to return to New York and enjoyed a final swansong with the Cosmos.

The Bayern Munich legend followed his former Germany teammate, Arne Friedrich in joining Chicago Fire. Five years after Friedrich, Schweinsteiger made the move in 2017, and even scored on his debut. He helped the Fire return to the playoffs after five years away, opening the door for one more year before he retired in 2019, having played nearly 100 games for the MLS team.

Grings, a two-time Euros winner and a three time German footballer of the Year, also made the stop in Chicago, joining the Chicago Red Stars in 2013 in time for the inaugural NWSL season. Grings (right) had a decent season, although the Red Stars missed out on a playoff spot. She returned to Germany and played for Cologne for one season before retiring in 2014.

Beckenbauer was joined in the NASL by former Bayern and Germany teammate Gerd Müller. The Bundesliga's all-time record goal scorer moved to Fort Lauderdale Strikers in 1979 and kept up his incredible strike rate. In his three seasons in Florida, Müller scored 38 goals in 71 appearances.

Dzsenifer Marozsan is a six-time Champions League winner with OL Lyon, one of the biggest clubs in women's football. But in 2021, she spent six months on loan at Lyon's American franchise, OL Reign. Joining forces with US star Megan Rapinoe, Marozsan helped the Reign to the NWSL playoff semifinals.

Another World Cup winner, this time of the 1990 vintage, became the first German to move to the nascent MLS in 2000. The MetroStars, who were based in Harrison, New Jersey, were the last port of call in Lothar Matthäus' storied playing career. Although he helped the side to the 2000 playoffs in his single campaign, he played only 16 games and his tenure there was seen as a disappointment.

Nadine Angerer has played all over the world, but is probably best known for being a key player in Germany's remarkable run which saw them win five Euros and two World Cups. In 2014, she joined Portland Thorns in the NWSL, keeping a clean sheet on her debut. They made the playoffs, but lost in the semifinals and the following year Angerer was playing in Australia.

After a curious stint at Angel City FC that saw her only play one game, Almut Schult finished her career after playing six months in goal for the Kansas City Current. They finished fourth, but lost in the playoffs. Schult, a Champions League winner, retired soon after and is also remembered for being a fierce advocate for women's right after returning to play following becoming a mother.

Former Bremen and Bayern midfielder Torsten Frings (left) spent the twilight of his career in the MLS with Toronto FC. Frings joined the Reds in 2011, but a recurring hip injury forced him to hang up his boots midway through his second year at the club. He came face to face with former Bremen teammate Frank Rost in 2011. The keeper had signed for the New York Red Bulls, but only played 11 games.

Ann-Katrin Berger has played at some of the biggest clubs in the world. The German No. 1 now plays for Gotham FC. She has twice overcome cancer, and was one of Germany's star players at Euro 2025. This will come as no surprise to NWSL fans, given that Berger was named the goalkeeper of the year in 2024.