Sources: Ethan Horvath in advanced talks to join MLS club after Cardiff City return
Cardiff City goalkeeper Ethan Horvath is in advanced talks to join New York Red Bulls in a permanent deal, sources have told Football Insider.
Horvath spent the first half of the season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, but the American is now expected to leave the Bluebirds permanently after returning.
The goalkeeper is under contract at Cardiff City Stadium until June 2027, after signing a new contract in February 2024.
Horvath spent the latter half of last season in goal in the Championship as his side were relegated, keeping just three clean sheets over the course of 17 appearances.
But this season has seen Nathan Trott predominantly feature in net for Brian Barry-Murphy‘s team, following his arrival on loan from Copenhagen.
Ethan Horvath hoping to impress ahead of World Cup
Horvath joined Cardiff from Nottingham Forest in 2024, after he had been loaned out to Luton Town for the 2022-23 season.
The goalkeeper had signed at the City Ground from Club Brugge, where he spent four years and made 64 appearances.
His time before that had been spent with Norwegian side Molde FK, whom he joined from Real Colorado in 2013.
Over a decade later and Horvath looks set to finally return to the United States, where he will hope to catch the eye of Mauricio Pochettino.
The 30-year-old has been capped 10 times by his home nation, with the most recent appearance coming in June 2024.
Since then, Horvath has been forced to sit on the bench in place of ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner, who has been the first choice in between the sticks.
Turner returned to the MLS when he was loaned to New England Revolution by Lyon, and Horvath will hope to see his career gain a similar revitalisation by making his own return with New York Red Bulls.
‘Fantastic’ Horvath to be remembered fondly at Sheffield Wednesday
Horvath won’t be in a hurry to remember what has been a difficult time at Hillsborough, but Sheffield Wednesday fans will have fond memories of the goalkeeper’s Carabao Cup stormer against Leeds United in August.
The American made six saves and prevented 1.73 expected goals against Premier League opposition, seemingly unbeatable until Jayden Bogle scored late on.
When it came to penalties, Horvath was the hero. First denying Joel Piroe with a diving save before winning the shootout by keeping out Sean Longstaff‘s effort.
“Ethan came to us as third goalkeeper at Cardiff and did very well, better than we expected,” Henrik Pedersen said at the end of Horvath’s loan. “He is a fantastic person and a very good goalkeeper.”