New York City FC's Joe Scally, 16, leaving MLS to join Borussia Monchengladbach

New York City FC defender Joe Scally is leaving Major League Soccer to join Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach, the club has announced.

Scally, 16, who played on the U.S. team that was eliminated in the group stage of the Under-17 World Cup two weeks ago, will complete the move to Germany in January 2021 when the winter transfer window opens.

NYCFC said Wednesday the transfer fee for the Lake Grove, New York, native was at least $1 million, which the team said was the highest for a 16-year-old in MLS history. That total could rise with bonuses.

Scally, who turns 17 on Dec. 31, is a 5-foot-10 right-back who started all three games for the U.S. at the U-17 World Cup from Oct. 27 to Nov. 2. He made his professional debut at age 15 as a substitute in NYCFC's U.S. Open Cup match on June 6, 2018, and has yet to make his first MLS appearance.

NYCFC said it would receive a sell-on percentage if Scally's rights are resold by Monchengladbach.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.