U.S. forward Julian Green leaves Bayern Munich for Stuttgart

On the cusp of Germany's winter break, Julian Green has made a significant change on his career path.

The U.S. forward will leave Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich for second-tier Stuttgart once the January transfer window opens, signing with the club through 2019. The 21-year-old Green, who famously made the USA's 2014 World Cup roster and scored in the round of 16 against Belgium, has found playing time hard to come by under Carlo Ancelotti, despite making the matchday roster on a more frequent basis than he had in the past for the first team. 

Green appeared in just two German Cup games this season, scoring one goal. His top highlight with Bayern came in the International Champions Cup friendly tournament in the United States this past summer, when he scored a hat trick against Inter Milan. Green's contract with the club was due to expire at the end of June 2017.

Green leaves Bayern, which is contending for a fifth straight Bundesliga title, for Stuttgart, the once-great club and five-time German champion that was relegated last season and is fighting for promotion. It sits third in the 2. Bundesliga, two points out of the automatic promotion places, and is coached by Hannes Wolf. Stuttgart employs another young U.S. international, 20-year-old midfielder Joel Soñora, who joined the club last January from the Boca Juniors youth ranks.