John Tolkin suffered relegation from the German Bundesliga in his first season overseas, however isn’t planning for a prolonged keep within the second-tier.
Tolkin and his Holstein Kiel teammates are getting ready for Saturday’s Bundesliga finale towards Borussia Dortmund earlier than the summer time worldwide window begins. The previous New York Crimson Bulls homegrown defender made the transfer to Germany final January and shortly turned an everyday contributor within the squad.
Regardless of a tragic ending to his opening 4 months with the membership, Tolkin has excessive hopes for Holstein Kiel’s future.
“If all goes properly, we shall be again right here on the finish of subsequent season,” Tolkin instructed reporters at a Bundesliga media roundtable on Thursday. “I feel the staff goes to be actually stable subsequent yr and we’re going to be preventing for promotion again to the Bundesliga.
“The Bundesliga is among the greatest leagues on this planet and the assist every weekend has been nice,” Tolkin mentioned concerning the followers assist. “Even in one of many saddest occasions of the season once we knew we have been relegated, the followers have been applauding us and clapping us for our efforts within the season.”
Tolkin, 22, has made 10 appearances for Holstein Kiel this season, registering two assists. He made his first begin for the membership towards eventual league champions, Bayern Munich, whereas additionally showing towards RB Leipzig and Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Whereas many younger gamers may need to attend for his or her alternative, Tolkin was thrown proper into the combination and relished within the alternative.
“I feel the pinching myself second was towards Bayern,” Tolkin mentioned about his transfer to the Bundesliga. “I keep in mind the coach pulling me into his workplace and saying he was going to play me and total I assumed we did properly that match.
“With the ability to soar proper into matches and into the tradition has been fairly cool,” he added. “It’s supplied an excellent alternative for me to develop as a participant and an individual in a brand new nation.”
Much like a number of former MLS academy gamers, Tolkin is one in all a rising record of American gamers within the Bundesliga. From Gio Reyna to Joe Scally to James Sands, the record of American expertise continues to develop in Germany’s prime flight.
Whereas his aggressive schedule takes precedence, Tolkin did admit to connecting along with his worldwide teammates.
“I used to be capable of speak to Joe [Scally] after the Gladbach recreation and simply join with how my time in Germany has been going,” he mentioned. “James Sands is about one hour away in Hamburg so it’s fairly cool to have the fellows not far-off to attach with.”
Tolkin, who has 4 senior caps with the U.S. males’s nationwide staff, probably shall be a candidate for Mauricio Pochettino’s CONCACAF Gold Cup roster this summer time. The versatile fullback will definitely be preventing to turn into the USMNT’s No. 2 left again behind Antonee Robinson.
Whether or not or not Pochettino decides to name in Tolkin for June’s pair of pre-Gold Cup friendlies stays to be seen, however the New Jersey native is prepared for the decision both manner.
“I had some contact with them this previous week and I feel in my eyes, I’ve performed properly sufficient to earn a chance,” Tolkin mentioned. “I feel for the friendlies and the Gold Cup, it could be an excellent probability for me, particularly with the World Cup coming subsequent yr.”
Holstein Kiel will shut its 2024-25 season on Saturday earlier than a summer time tour in the USA to kickstart the brand new marketing campaign preparations.