Former Reading full-back Ethan Bristow has signed for MLS franchise Minnesota United on a two-year deal, with the option of a third.

The 21-year-old, from Maidenhead, rose through the ranks in Berkshire and made 11 first-team appearances before his 2022 exit to Tranmere Rovers.

Impressing in Birkenhead, Bristow played in every match for the League Two outfit last season and established himself as one of the most exciting youngsters in the division.

After just one season, Everton legend Adrian Heath picked up the youngster for his Minnesota United side.

In charge at Minnesota since 2017, the two-time First Division champion at Goodison Park has labelled Bristow a 'tremendous player' and hope he becomes a 'valuable' star in the States.

Speaking to the club, Heath said: “First thing that really sticks out is he has all the physical tools, great size, incredibly quick and for a young guy, he’s played 46 games in League Two last year, and so he’s used to tough physical football and he excelled. He’s not afraid of the physical contact in the game, but he also has a good footballing mind and sees the game well.

"The pleasing thing for us is he had a couple of options to go to the Championship and the minute we spoke to him he had set his heart on coming to Minnesota. It bodes well for the future and we are sure that over the course of the next few years we have added a tremendous player and he will be really valuable for us.”

One of the newer franchises, only joining the MLS in 2017, the Loons were runners-up in the US Open Cup and recently signed Norwich City favourite Teemu Pukki.