Ex-Newcastle United star winger eyeing move to MLS

Ex-Newcastle United star winger eyeing move to MLS originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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When the Saudi Pro League started to pick up steam a few years back, the top clubs in the country were looking to sign several big-name players to help boost the profile of their competitions. Some of the bigger signings included Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Karim Benzema, and Jhon Duran, among others.

But there was one player who made the move from Newcastle United, Allin Saint-Maximin, who brought his four-season stay at St. James’ park to an end with that move, a stint in which he would bulge the back of the net on 13 separate occasions, with 19 of his other 32 goal involvements coming on the end of his teammates’ kicks.

Maximin’s time in the Saudi Pro League would be brief, only spending a lone season with Al-Ahli, before being sent to the Turkish Super Lig with Fenerbahce a year later. 

This loan spell would later turn into his transfer to Club América in the Liga MX, where he would depart shortly after joining, which marked his return to France with RC Lens. 

In other words, the French winger moved around a lot following his departure from the English top flight.

Despite his seven-goal involvements in Ligue 1, it wouldn’t be enough for the French side to bring Saint-Maximin back, making him a free agent once again, allowing him to test the waters for a move elsewhere.

The Frenchman is set for an MLS move?

Former Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin is in talks to join Charlotte FC on a three-year deal

— Simon Jones (@SimonJones_DM) June 10, 2026

This has led him to have talks with MLS outfit Charlotte FC, according to the Daily Mail’s Simon Jones, with the two sides pondering a three-year contract to bring him to the United States.

Given his level of play during his time in Liga MX, a fairly comparable level of competition to the MLS, it would be an interesting move for the Frenchman. Maximin would also be the second former Premier League star to feature for Charlotte, given that ex-Crystal Palace, Manchester United, and Cardiff City winger Wilfried Zaha plays for the club, scoring 19 goals in his two seasons in the MLS.

Entering the recent international break, set for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Charlotte is currently sitting in the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference standings with 21 points to their name.

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