Minnesota United today announced that the club has acquired versatile MLS veteran Julian Gressel off waivers. Gressel is under contract through December of 2026, with a club option for 2027.
“I’m really excited to be here at Minnesota United and to get integrated into the group,” said Julian Gressel. “I can’t wait to get started with the guys and continue the momentum that has been established within the team.”
“We welcome Julian and his family to Minnesota and are excited for him to join our team,” said MNUFC Chief Soccer Officer Khaled El-Ahmad. “Julian brings an impressive depth of MLS experience and championship pedigree to Minnesota. He is a proven winner and competitor and our hope is that he will contribute those qualities to our team and continue to push our club forward throughout the rest of this season and beyond.”
A veteran of MLS, Julian Gressel joins Minnesota United from Inter Miami CF where he played for the South Florida side during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, making 32 MLS regular-season game appearances and providing nine assists. Gressel was a mainstay and played a vital role with the Miami squad that captured the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield trophy as the team with the most points in that season, notably a single-season record with 74 points.
The German-born, United States international began his career in MLS when he was selected as the eighth-overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by Atlanta United FC. With Atlanta, Gressel made nearly 100 game appearances, earning 2017 MLS Rookie of the Year honors and helping the team capture the 2018 MLS Cup championship and 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles. He then was traded to D.C. United and featured prominently for the team from 2020-2022 before being sent to Vancouver Whitecaps FC, competing for the Canadian side from 2022-2023, winning back-to-back Canadian Championships. During the summer of 2023, Gressel was sent to Columbus Crew, where he played a key role and helped the Ohio team lift the 2023 MLS Cup trophy.
Overall, across all MLS competitions (regular-season and MLS Cup Playoffs) since 2017, Gressel has made an impressive 258 game appearances (232 starts), where he has provided 67 assists and has scored 28 goals, to-date.
Internationally, Gressel has represented the United States. He was called up to camp for the first time in January of 2023 and was then named to the final squad ahead of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, where he earned his first cap in a group-stage victory over St. Kitts and Nevis. To-date, Gressel has made six game appearances for the Stars and Stripes.
Transaction: Minnesota United acquires Julian Gressel off waivers. Gressel is under contract through December of 2026, with a club option for 2027.
VITALSJulian Gressel
Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 12/16/1993 (31 years old)
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 185 lbs.
Birthplace: Neustadt, Germany
Citizenship: United States
Previous Club: Inter Miami CF
