Born in the USA
Arriving from European heavyweights Bayern Munich as a full United States international, Chris Richards has a remarkable CV at just 22-years-old.
26ChrisRichards
out on loan
Def
Defender
Date of Birth
28.03.0028 March 2000
Country
Joined Team
27.07.2227 July 2022
Awards & Honours
IFFHS Men's World Youth Team
2020
The versatile defender became Crystal Palace’s fourth senior signing of the summer in 2022, moving to south London from Germany.
Born in Alabama, USA, Richards began his career near Houston before joining F.C. Dallas’ Academy and earning a professional contract there.
He moved to Houston and then Dallas aged 16 – both over 600 miles from his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, where his parents still live – and initially lived alone with a host family. He then made the even larger jump of joining Bayern Munich aged 18, where he learnt fluent German and made his senior debut shortly after signing.
From here Richards’ rise was swift: he made his senior debut in a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain in 2018, his professional debut with Bayern Munich II in 2019, and his full Bayern debut in June 2020. A few months later he featured as a substitute in the German side’s DFL-Supercup win over Borussia Dortmund.
The young defender went on to represent Bayern in the Bundesliga and Champions League before joining 1899 Hoffenheim on loan in 2021. He has played a total of 82 professional matches.
Richards began his international career early, too, competing with the US Under-20s to win the CONCACAF U20 Championship aged 18. His performances at this level earned him a senior debut in November 2020, coming on as a substitute against Panama. Richards has since amassed seven further caps.
Richards highlights
View All Videos- 07:04
First interview with Chris Richards
- 00:34
Chris Richards announced with remake of Ted Lasso opener