Tyler Adams walks through the tunnel before a game against D.C. United Aug. 26. (Photo courtesy of the Red Bulls)

As expected, Tyler Adams is heading to Germany — as in today.

The Red Bulls announced Sunday they had transferred midfielder Tyler Adams to RB Leipzig of the German Bundesliga. RB Leipzig is the Red Bulls’ sister organization under the Red Bull umbrella.

The Wappingers Falls, N.Y. native will join Leipzig when the January transfer window opens. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

It has been rumored and reported for months that Adams would join the German side after the 2018 Major League Soccer season. The Red Bulls were eliminated from MLS Cup contention, losing the Eastern Conference aggregate goals series to Atlanta United, 3-1, after they registered a 1-0 home win in the second leg at Red Bull Arena Thursday.

In June, former Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch joined RB Leipzig as an assistant coach, so Adams should feel at home at some level in Germany.

“First and foremost, congratulations to Tyler and his family. We fully support Tyler’s decision to take the next step in his career, and we wish him all the best,” Red Bulls sporting director Denis Hamlett said in a statement. “This move is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice from Tyler and his parents. There is a massive sense of pride around our organization in seeing Tyler go from a Red Bulls summer camp, into the Regional Development School and our academy, to the first team, the U.S. national team, and now one of the top clubs and leagues in the world. We wish Tyler all the best and we know he will continue to be a shining example of the type of player and person we strive to develop.”

The 19-year-old Adams was identified by Red Bulls youth coaches at a summer camp near his hometown. He was invited to join the Regional Development School program, and then graduated to the Red Bulls Academy. Adams signed his first professional contract with Red Bull II at 16 after spending time with the U.S. Soccer residency [rogram in Bradenton, Fla.

He was the first player to complete every level of the New York Red Bulls Player Development pyramid, from the RDS Program, through the academy system, United Soccer League and into the first team.

“We’re genuinely happy for Tyler and his family and we know that he is ready for the next step,” Red Bulls head coach Chris Armas said. “In these last four years, I’ve learned that he is simply incredible. Tyler has a maturity, fearlessness, work ethic, and desire to win that make him unique. Tyler is the gold standard for player development in this country and I think that our club and academy can feel very proud to have worked with him and influenced him along his path. We wish him the very best and look forward to watching him shine.”

In July 2015, Adams made his first team debut as he represented the Red Bulls in the International Champions Cup against Chelsea FC. The 16-year-old scored the second goal in a 4-2 victory.

He spent one season with Red Bull II, playing a key role in winning the 2016 USL regular season title and USL Cup before being added to the MLS roster. He made his MLS debut April 13, 2016 at the San Jose Earthquakes. Adams worked his way into the Starting XI in 2017, making 23 appearances and adding two goals and four assists. He made 74 appearances for the team across all competitions and was an integral piece of the squad that won the 2018 Supporters’ Shield while setting MLS records for wins (22) and points (71).

Adams also earned his way into the U.S. men’s national team, getting his first senior call up and cap in November 2017 against Portugal. Adams has gotten the call for every camp the past calendar year, including appearances against Ireland and France prior to the World Cup in Russia, and scoring his first international goal in a 1-0 victory over Mexico Sept. 11.

“I’d like to thank everyone at the organization, coaches, staff, my teammates and the Supporters,” Adams said in a statement. “I’ve worn a New York Red Bulls shirt for eight years, and this club has become a second family to me. I will always be grateful to the many people who believed in me, mentored me, and helped me get to this point. I’d also like to thank my family for their never-ending love and support. This club will always have a special place in my heart.”

Here is a related story you might be interested in:

ONE LAST TIME: Adams walks to the Red Bulls locker room Thursday night

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.