Alex Freeman has gone from doubting himself to signing a six-year La Liga deal before turning 22.
If you want to know how much the USMNT right-back is worth — including his Villarreal contract, MLS salary history, and total career earnings — this guide covers everything with verified numbers.
Alex Freeman’s Biography
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alexander Michael Freeman |
| Date of Birth | August 9, 2004 |
| Age | 21 years old |
| Nationality | American |
| Height / Weight | 188 cm (6’2″) / 78 kg (172 lbs) |
| Position | Right-Back / Right Winger |
| Current Club | Villarreal CF (La Liga) |
| Turned Professional | February 2022 (Orlando City, MLS homegrown) |
| Net Worth | ~$2 million (estimated) |
| MLS Base Salary | $89,716 per year |
| Father | Antonio Freeman (NFL wide receiver, Super Bowl XXXI champion) |
Early Life & Career
Alex Freeman was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His first soccer coach was his stepfather, Jake Hinkle, who introduced him to the game from an early age.
Freeman played basketball, soccer, and briefly considered following in his father’s footsteps in American football — his father, Antonio Freeman, was an NFL wide receiver who won Super Bowl XXXI with the Green Bay Packers in 1997.
Freeman rose through the youth ranks at Weston FC Academy in South Florida, catching the eye of several clubs.
In 2020, he tried out for Inter Miami’s academy but did not make the team. That rejection, as Freeman later described it, gave him “the most fuel I ever had.”
His coach at Weston FC, Javier Carrillo, persuaded him to try out for Orlando City’s academy despite the long distance from home.
At just 15, Freeman made the decision to leave his family and move to Orlando to join the club’s residential academy program.
His mother, Rochelle — a Liverpool fan who jokingly calls her son her “little Trent Alexander-Arnold” — initially hesitated because of COVID-19 and the distance, but eventually gave her blessing.
Freeman celebrated his 16th birthday away from his family for the first time, calling it something that “needed to happen.”
Freeman thrived in the academy, making 30 appearances for Orlando City’s under-17 team and scoring eight goals with 15 assists, helping the club win the inaugural MLS Next Cup U17 title.
Professional Career
Freeman signed a homegrown contract with Orlando City on February 15, 2022, becoming the club’s 12th homegrown signing.
He spent his first three seasons primarily playing for Orlando City B in MLS Next Pro. His development was steady but quiet — he had logged just 10 career MLS minutes heading into 2025.
That changed dramatically in 2025. Freeman broke into Orlando City’s first team, started on March 1 against Toronto FC, and scored his first senior club goal in a 4–2 victory.
From there, his season exploded. He finished the year with six goals and six assists across all competitions, earned a spot in the 2025 MLS All-Star Game as the youngest player ever selected, and took home the MLS Young Player of the Year award.
He also made the MLS Best XI — a first in Orlando City history.
His USMNT debut came in June 2025 against Turkey, and he went on to play every minute of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The United States reached the final before losing 2-1 to Mexico, with Freeman becoming the youngest player to make six consecutive starts for the national team in the tournament.
On January 29, 2026, Orlando City officially transferred Freeman to Villarreal in La Liga for a record fee, making him the priciest academy graduate the club had ever sold. He made his Villarreal debut on February 9, 2026, as a substitute in a 4–1 win over Espanyol.
Key Honors
- U.S. Open Cup: 2022 (with Orlando City)
- CONCACAF Gold Cup runner-up: 2025 (USMNT)
- MLS All-Star: 2025
- MLS Young Player of the Year: 2025
- MLS Best XI: 2025
- MLS Next Pro Player of the Month: September 2024
Family
Alex Freeman is the son of former NFL wide receiver Antonio Freeman, who is also his biggest influence.
His mother, Rochelle, is a passionate Liverpool supporter and has followed his soccer career closely. He has two younger brothers, Tyler and Josh, both of whom also play soccer.
No verified information is publicly available regarding a girlfriend or romantic partner as of 2026.
Freeman has kept his personal life largely private while focused on making the 2026 FIFA World Cup roster.
Alex Freeman’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Alex Freeman’s has an estimated net worth of $2 million.
He built this wealth through his homegrown MLS contracts with Orlando City, his record-breaking transfer to Villarreal CF, and early-stage sponsorship activity tied to his rapid rise as one of American soccer’s brightest young stars.
Contract
Freeman signed a six-year contract with Villarreal CF running until June 2032.
The deal was finalized in the January 2026 transfer window after Villarreal agreed to pay an initial fee of approximately $4 million (around €3.5 million), with performance-related add-ons potentially pushing the total to $7 million.
As ESPN reported, Freeman rejected a max-U22 MLS deal worth roughly $800,000 per year from Orlando City before opting for the move to Spain.
His long-term Villarreal commitment runs through what will be the peak years of his career.
Salary
During his time with Orlando City in 2025, Freeman earned an estimated base salary of $89,716 per year — or roughly $1,725 per week — according to Capology’s MLS salary tracker.
That number reflects standard homegrown player rates in MLS and is well below what he could have earned on a max-U22 deal.
His Villarreal salary has not been officially disclosed, which is standard practice in La Liga.
However, based on comparable right-back contracts for 21-year-olds in the mid-table La Liga tier, Freeman likely earns between €400,000–€800,000 per year at Villarreal — a major step up from his MLS earnings.
This estimate aligns with his market value and Villarreal’s typical wage structure for young signings.
Career Earnings By Year
| Year | Club | Estimated Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Orlando City (MLS homegrown) | ~$70,000 |
| 2023 | Orlando City / Orlando City B | ~$75,000 |
| 2024 | Orlando City / Orlando City B | ~$80,000 |
| 2025 | Orlando City (first team breakout) | $89,716 |
| 2026+ | Villarreal CF (La Liga) | ~$450,000–$800,000 est. |
Career Statistics
| Club | Season | Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando City B | 2022 | MLS Next Pro | 19 | 0 |
| Orlando City B | 2023 | MLS Next Pro | 24 | 4 |
| Orlando City B | 2024 | MLS Next Pro | 27 | 8 |
| Orlando City | 2023 | MLS | 1 | 0 |
| Orlando City | 2024 | MLS | 3 | 0 |
| Orlando City | 2025 | All comps | 38 | 6 |
| Villarreal CF | 2025–26 | La Liga | 5 | 0 |
| Career Total | 119 | 18 |
International Career
| National Team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | 13 | 2 |
| United States | 2026 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 15 | 2 |
FAQs
What is Alex Freeman’s net worth?
Alex Freeman’s estimated net worth is around $2 million. He built it through his Orlando City MLS contracts and his record transfer to Villarreal CF in January 2026.
How much does Alex Freeman earn at Villarreal?
La Liga contracts for young defenders, he likely earns between €400,000 and €800,000 per year — a significant jump from his $89,716 MLS salary.
How much did Villarreal pay for Alex Freeman?
Villarreal paid an initial fee of approximately $4 million (€3.5 million) for Freeman, with performance add-ons potentially raising the total to $7 million. Orlando City also retained a 15% sell-on clause.
Who is Alex Freeman’s father?
His father is Antonio Freeman, a former NFL wide receiver who won Super Bowl XXXI with the Green Bay Packers in 1997. Antonio encouraged Alex to pursue his own path in soccer.
Did Alex Freeman play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Alex Freeman received a USMNT call-up for friendlies against Belgium and Portugal. The 2026 World Cup roster had yet been officially announced at time of publication.
