Bundesliga club Holstein Kiel have been forced to defend their signing of USMNT international John Tolkin following criticism of his social media activity. The 22-year-old wing-back — a club-record transfer from Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls — has faced criticism for his activity online relating to a variety of topics including gender identity and conspiracies around the COVID pandemic.

United States national team defender John Tolkin said he has regrets over his past activity on social media after joining Holstein Kiel in Germany.

Bello left Atlanta United in 2022 to join an Arminia Bielefeld side struggling to stay up in the Bundesliga before eventually getting relegated. When he left Major League Soccer, Bello was on the fringes of the USMNT but now he's in Austria having taken a step back league-wise wise and it's an opportunity for other players like Tolkin.