Lyle Foster chooses MLS move despite interest from Turkey, Greece and France

Lyle Foster has opted for a move to Major League Soccer as he looks to revive his career after a difficult spell with Burnley, despite receiving concrete offers from clubs in Turkey, Greece and France.

The Bafana Bafana striker is reportedly close to joining Houston Dynamo, with the two clubs finalising a loan agreement that would run until next summer. The proposed deal is also understood to include a purchase option worth $7m, approximately R112m.

Foster’s decision follows Burnley’s relegation from the Premier League and a season in which the forward struggled to reproduce the form he had shown during his first campaign in England’s top flight.

The 25-year-old had several European options available as he considered his future, but his representatives ultimately concluded that a change of surroundings would be the best course for him. Major League Soccer emerged as the preferred destination.

The move to the United States is viewed by those close to Foster as an opportunity for him to enjoy his football again, regain consistency and rebuild his confidence.

Foster joined Burnley in 2023 and made an encouraging start to life at the club. During his first Premier League campaign, he scored five goals and supplied three assists in 24 appearances.

He then played a part in Burnley’s promotion back to the Premier League. However, after returning to the top flight, he managed only three goals and two assists in 26 league appearances last season as the Clarets were relegated once again.

A transfer to Houston Dynamo would give the South African international the chance to begin a new chapter away from the pressure of English football. Foster has scored 10 goals in 28 appearances for Bafana Bafana.

The potential move would also place him among a growing group of South African players in MLS. Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Tylon Smith, Puso Dithejane and Mbekezeli Mbokazi are also currently playing in the league, offering Foster a familiar link as he adapts to a new country and competition.

Houston Dynamo are currently second in the Western Conference, with 39 points from 22 matches.

The club’s position in the conference, combined with Foster’s expected opportunity to reset his career, has made the MLS option more attractive than the European proposals that were presented to him. While offers from Turkey, Greece and France were genuine, Foster and his camp have decided that Houston represents the strongest environment for the striker at this stage of his career.

The agreement remains subject to the two clubs completing the final details of the loan, with the purchase option giving Houston the opportunity to make the move permanent next summer.