Folarin Balogun on his failed Everton transfer, return to the USMNT and post-World Cup detour

Balogun broke his silence on his failed Everton move, saying the club changed his contract terms during his medical, prompting him to walk away.

Folarin Balogun has given his first public account of the transfer saga that derailed his summer. After his World Cup breakout, the USMNT forward sought a move to Everton but the deal collapsed on transfer deadline day when the club altered his contract terms during his medical examination.

"I flew to Everton with a set contract. And then by the time I left, the contract was changed," Balogun said at a U.S. men's national team camp on Thursday. "I didn't feel comfortable to sign."

Since returning to Monaco, Balogun has struggled to regain form, playing only 233 minutes across seven appearances and scoring once. He was initially left out of Monaco's UEFA Conference League squad before being added as an injury replacement. The move from the spotlight of the World Cup to the quiet of the Principality has been jarring.

"From almost being on the biggest of stages to going back to Monaco, which is fairly quiet, just living there and the way the country is designed — it's been different," he said.

Balogun is back with the USMNT for the first time since summer and expressed relief at rejoining the squad. He faces Concacaf Nations League matches against Haiti before returning to Monaco, though his desire to leave the club remains unchanged.