Exclusive: Championship Clubs Scramble as Ryan Kent Heads for England Return

Former Liverpool wing wizard Ryan Kent is heading home and the Championship is on red alert, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The former Reds flyer has been released by Seattle Sounders FC after less than a year in Major League Soccer, and now a string of ambitious second-tier sides are scrambling to win the race for his signature.

Kent, 27, sealed a $2.7million move to the States last March amid big expectations. 

But his American adventure has ended abruptly, clearing the runway for a dramatic return to English football. 

And insiders have told us tentative talks are already underway about the chance to play in England again.

Several Championship clubs have held initial conversations behind closed doors, with early negotiations described as “positive."

FIREPOWER

With promotion battles looming and squads needing extra firepower, Kent’s availability has not gone unnoticed.

A £3million valuation has been mooted, though the figure is likely to tumble given Seattle have now let him walk. 

For the right club, it could prove a bargain for the former England Under-20 international.

Kent’s career has always promised fireworks. He was one of the brightest young stars at Liverpool, dazzling through the Under-18s, Under-21s and Under-23s ranks and tipped for stardom at Anfield. 

However, first-team opportunities proved limited, but his reputation only grew as he gained experience elsewhere.

A loan spell in Germany broadened his horizons, while he also featured in the Championship for Bristol City and has had loan spells with Barnsley and Coventry City during his career.

But it was at Scottish giants Rangers, though, where he truly made his name, tormenting defenders, lighting up European nights and becoming a fans’ favourite at Ibrox after an initial successful loan spell led to playing 218 games for the club and scoring 33 goals across four seasons.

HEAVYWEIGHT

That form earned him a high-profile switch to Turkish giants Fenerbahçe SK, adding another heavyweight club to his CV.

Now, with Premier League pedigree and serious Championship know-how, Kent believes his best years are still ahead of him.

Reflecting on his career, Kent admitted: “I've had a couple of difficult years in my career, probably more than anything, trying to find enjoyment in the game.”

Those words will only fuel speculation that a deal is edging closer.

Direct, fearless and blessed with blistering pace, Kent remains an attacking weapon capable of turning games in an instant. 

If a Championship club gets this one right, they may just land the signing of the summer.