Earthquakes Officially Sign Timo Werner as a Designated Player

SAN JOSE, CA — The San Jose Earthquakes made it official Thursday, announcing they’ve acquired German forward Timo Werner from RB Leipzig on a permanent transfer and signed him to a Designated Player contract through June 2028, a move the club called the biggest signing in Earthquakes history.

To finalize the deal under MLS roster rules, San Jose acquired Werner’s Discovery Priority from the New York Red Bulls for $50,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money (GAM), per multiple reports and the club release.

Werner will take an international roster slot and will officially join the team pending receipt of his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC), according to the Earthquakes. “That’s why I want to come to San Jose — to win.”

Werner’s first message to Quakes fans was simple and direct. Effort every match, trophies as the standard, and winning as the mission. “I’ve wanted to win a trophy… In the end, I’ve always delivered. That’s why I want to come to San Jose — to win,” Werner said in the club’s announcement.

Earthquakes sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena echoed the significance of the move, saying Werner brings “quality on the field, experience and leadership” and called him “an outstanding” addition for the club and community. The Earthquakes are bringing in a 29-year-old attacker with major European pedigree — including trophies like the UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup — and a long track record of production across Germany and England. By the club’s numbers, Werner has 154 goals in 451 career matches and has earned 57 caps with 24 goals for Germany.

San Jose also framed Werner as a flexible fit up front — a pace-driven attacker (“Turbo Timo”) who has played wide, underneath a striker, and as a center forward. The Earthquakes said a virtual press conference with Werner and Arena is expected to be announced soon, as the club turns the page from rumor to reality.  San Jose opens the 2026 season Feb. 21 vs. Sporting Kansas City at PayPal Park, with Werner’s official arrival tied to his visa/ITC process.