Bundesliga club Holstein Kiel have been forced to defend their signing of USMNT international John Tolkin following criticism of his social media activity.
The 22-year-old wing-back — a club-record transfer from Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls — has faced criticism for his activity online relating to a variety of topics including gender identity and conspiracies around the COVID pandemic.
Kiel say they have spoken to Tolkin on the issue and backed him to fit in at his new club “not only from a sporting point of view, but also from a human point of view.”
A statement read: “As part of the signing of John Tolkin, we have spoken to the player about these issues due to the circumstances of his criticized social media activities. John has credibly explained to us that he did not want to hurt or offend anyone with these likes. Furthermore, John publicly apologized shortly after the criticism of his behavior arose, including in a U.S. television interview.
“None of the points of criticism he was accused of being compatible with his personal values. John stands behind the club’s philosophy and this explicitly includes a commitment to diversity, tolerance and against all forms of discrimination and racism.
“We are therefore firmly convinced that with the signing of John, we can welcome a player to Holstein Kiel who fits in with us as a club, not only from a sporting point of view, but also from a human point of view.”
Wir verpflichten US-Nationalspieler John Tolkin ✍🏼
Der 22-jährige Außenverteidiger wechselt vom MLS-Club New York Red Bulls an die Kieler Förde. Tolkin wird mit der Rückennummer 47 auflaufen.
Zur Transfermeldung ⏩ https://t.co/970M7brAY9
Welcome to Kiel, John! 👋🏼
_#KielAhoi pic.twitter.com/UbZSARHG6Q— Holstein Kiel (@Holstein_Kiel) January 16, 2025
Tolkin added: “I regret that things I have done in the past in my social media activities may have hurt, irritated or offended people. That was never my intention. I would like to assure you 100 percent at this point that I respect all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
“I always judge people based on how they treat me and others. In my circle of friends and my teams, I always meet a wide variety of people and I always have a close and trusting relationship with them. That is why I would like to make it clear that I have neither homophobic nor any kind of discriminatory thoughts. That is incompatible with my personal values that were taught to me from childhood.
“That is why it now hurts me even more that my start here at Holstein Kiel is accompanied by this issue. I want to concentrate on football and help the club and the team in sporting terms.”
Kiel, who are newly promoted to the German top tier this season, are currently 17th in the Bundesliga and due to face Hoffenheim at home on Saturday.
Tolkin, who four caps for the USMNT, has been registered in time to take part in that game, but it is not yet clear whether he will be involved.
(Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
