Milan and Turin are Italy’s most prestigious destinations allowing the finest of American soccer players to prosper. But have you heard about the symbiotic rise of Palermo FC and USMNT defender Kristoffer Lund?
Team USA supporters know all about Lund, the Denmark-born, Swedish title-winning, Sicily-based USMNT convert contracted to a club powered by City Football Group, the soccer investment vehicle from Abu Dhabi valued at over $5B.
With seven international appearances so far, the dream of representing the US at the 2026 World Cup could be the final piece of a global puzzle for the 22-year-old, who spoke with me at City Football Academy Palermo, located in Torretta.
“Now, it’s one of my primary goals to reach the squad of 2026, and I’m not shy to say that,” Lund explained.
“I work hard every single day to show my best here, which then will be able to, hopefully, transfer into being able to play for the national team.”
Born in Kerteminde, a modest Danish town of 6,000 residents, Lund is eligible for Mauricio Pocchetino’s side through his American mother, a decision taken after representing Denmark from U17 to U21 level.
The former FC Midtjylland defender pledged his allegiance to the Stars and Stripes in 2023, debuting against Uzbekistan in St. Louis.
“To be able to play for the US – I saw it as an opportunity.”
“I see the future of this team being very good, and at the same time, the evolution and the growth of football, or soccer, as we say in the States, is growing immensely.”
In sports, correlation almost always means causation. Lund’s elevation into the international arena coincided with his transfer from Swedish champions BK Hacken – where he won two trophies – to Palermo, the Serie A fallen giant who entered a new dawn in 2022 when City Football Group stepped in.
Supporters of Palermo FC watch the Serie B match between Palermo and Cittadella at the Stadio … [+]
Lund was immediately called up by then-coach Gregg Berhalter, replacing Fulham defender Antonee Robinson at Energizer Park with ten minutes to go against the Uzbeks in a Serie A-themed lineup featuring Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie (Juventus), and three current and former AC Milan players, Sergiño Dest, Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah.
And it’s the latter with whom Lund bonded the most.
“One of my very dearest friends is Yunus Musah, who plays in Milan.”
“It’s kind of humbling also to know that players like them, players at that level, can reflect with you, and speak with you about this and actually ask, how is it going with you?”
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 12: Yunus Musah #6 of United States and Kristoffer Lund #23 look on … [+]
“We saw that you won this game, or played this game. So it’s very cool. Awesome. That’s part of the Calcio journey, I guess.”
Lund’s Sicilian odyssey has netted 56 appearances and three goals, the last of which capped off a sensational 2024 calendar year when he scored against Cittadella in Serie B.
CITTADELLA, ITALY – DECEMBER 29: Kristoffer Lund of Palermo scores the equalizing goal during the … [+]
With 17 club appearances and two international friendly call-ups in 2024-25, the young American is aware that Palermo gives him the platform needed to catch the attention of Pocchetino, the former Argentinian centre-back who retired in 2006, the same season the Le Aquile finished fifth in Serie A.
“I’ve been here for around one and a half years, and it just goes to show how much impact this place has. Around the world, everyone knows who and what Palermo is, and if you do well here, as I said, it goes to show that you’re able to handle and do a lot of good stuff in the future as well.”
Palermo’s golden period began during the Luca Toni era, when the 2006 World Cup winner elevated the club to Serie A with profound impact, attaining European qualification five times in eight seasons.
PALERMO, ITALY – APRIL 11: Fabrizio Miccoli (C) of Palermo celebrates his goal (2-1) with his … [+]
It’s this rich Rosanero history: names like Toni, Paulo Dybala and Edinson Cavani that have ensured the Sicilian capital has evolved into one of the nation’s most attractive soccer destinations.
“For me, it’s a privilege,” Lund shared. “This makes a difference for you wanting to come because, you know, there have been all these great players who had great careers in Palermo.”
City Football Group acquired Palermo in 2022 and rapidly implemented a global mindset, unveiling the club’s first-ever training centre in its 124-year existence.
According to the official website, City Football Academy Palermo consists of two grass fields with the precise dimensions of the Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo FC’s home stadium, a series of extra training grounds, and buildings boasting the latest in sporting technology, located thirty minutes from the stadium.
“It’s very nice that we can come to the training ground, and it’s just us. We have nice facilities in the gym, and we have big open pitches.”
“When I first arrived, it was still under the construction. So going from what we have now, compared to what I arrived to, is unbelievable.”
Facilities like these are largely unheard of in Italy’s southern soccer clubs. Here lies the opportunity for Lund and Palermo to qualify for the Serie B playoffs for the second year running to realize that long-awaited return to the top flight.
“It would mean the world to me. Last year I was lucky, I would say, to experience the playoff atmosphere here in Palermo, which was absolutely insane.”
“So to be able to go through that again, if not direct promotion, but to be able to go through a successful playoff series here in this club, in this place, would be almost magical.”
With a population of over 650,000, Palermo is Italy’s fifth-largest city. Seven seasons have passed since the capacious 32,000-seater Renzo Barbera enjoyed Serie A matches. Still, that’s two less than Jonathan Klinsmann’s Cesena FC, another dual citizen American competing in Serie B.
Lund assures me the players want it as much as the fans. “The atmosphere here is incredible, and I know how much it means to us, of course, who put in the daily work, but also how much it means to everyone else here in here in Sicily.”
PALERMO, ITALY – JANUARY 12: Salvatore Sirigu, Baniya Rayyan, Jeremy Le Douaron, Claudio Gomes, … [+]
Palermo occupies 8th position in the Serie B standings with just over half the season gone. A steady flow of positive results could cement a top-four finish, crucial for hosting an all-important playoff second-leg tie.
As 2025 kicks off, there are two milestones of paramount importance for Lund: The Concacaf Nations League semi-final against Panama and a successful tilt at Serie A promotion with Palermo.
But for now, it’s one opponent at a time.
“I believe in myself, so it’s it’s not like I see some guy thinking, like, I can’t stop him. In my opinion, I can stop anyone.”
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