USMNT star Sergino Dest explains why he left Barcelona for PSV after being thrown in at Champions League deep end

The United States international defender finds himself back in the Netherlands – the country of his birth – after agreeing a season-long loan switch to Eindhoven. The former Ajax star has bid farewell to Catalunya after struggling to prove his worth at Camp Nou.

Dest was handed an immediate debut by PSV in the first leg of their Champions League qualifying clash with Scottish giants and, after helping them to a 2-2 draw at Ibrox, is happy to be playing football again. Dest has said of returning to the Eredivisie: “I want to play more, develop myself and get better. Sometimes you have to make certain decisions in your career. PSV gave me the best feeling. We can definitely become champions of the Netherlands and we know that we have to win next week. because everyone wants to play in the Champions League.

Dest was thrown in at the deep end by PSV against Rangers, with the 22-year-old full-back being given little time in which to adjust to life in new surroundings. He has no complaints, though, and added on being rushed into competitive action: “We were unfortunate not to get the win against Rangers, but I am confident we will get the victory we need in the home game. It was a busy time for me, but that is what modern football is all about. I would have preferred to have a little more time so I could have adapted quicker. Usually when you join a club as big as PSV the day before the game you don't go straight into the match of this importance. But I was grateful for the opportunity.

Dest has taken in 72 appearances for La Liga giants Barcelona, but he struggled to nail down a regular starting berth across two seasons with the Blaugrana and spent the 2022-23 campaign on loan at Serie A heavyweights AC Milan.