Where is Michael Bradley from and what is he doing since retiring from football?
Where is Michael Bradley from and what is he doing since retiring from football?

Where is Michael Bradley from and what is he doing since retiring from football?

Grace Waruguru
updated at January 16, 2024 at 12:20 PM
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Where is Michael Bradley from? The recently retired athlete enjoyed a successful professional career, spending nine years with Toronto F.C. Unfortunately, his stay was not without challenges because his father was a coach in some of the teams he played, leading to some interested parties accusing them of nepotism. Here is Bradley's story and the details of where he is now.

where is Michael Bradley from
Michael Bradley is an American midfielder born in New Jersey, America. Photo: Julian Avram (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Michael Bradley served as the Toronto F.C. and U.S. national team captain and midfielder, making over 150 international appearances as a senior. He is one of the few athletes with over 100 international caps. Where is Michael Bradley from? Keep reading to find out.

Michael Bradley's profile and bio summary

Full name

Michael Sheehan Bradley

Age

36 years old (As of January 2024)

Date of birth

July 31, 1987

Zodiac sign

Leo

Nickname

The General

Place of birth

Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.A.

Nationality

American

Ethnicity

White

Parents

Robert Bradley, Lindsay Bradley

Siblings

Kerry Bradley, Ryan Bradley

Marital status

Married

Spouse

Amanda Barletta

Children

Luca, Quinn Elle

Height

6 feet, 1 inch

Weight

81kgs

Hair colour

Bald

Eye colour

Hazel

Education

Manhattanville College

Profession

Professional football player

Position

Central midfielder

Net worth

$13 million

Social media

Instagram

How old is Michael Bradley?

Michael Bradley age
Toronto FC's Michael Bradley during a game against the New York Red Bulls on July 21, 2021, at BMO Field in Toronto, ON, Canada. Photo: Julian Avram (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Michael Sheehan Bradley (aged 36 years old as of January 2024) was born on July 31, 1987. The talented central midfielder has earned the name ''The General'' thanks to his mastery of the position.

Where is Michael Bradley from?

The American footballer was born in Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.A. Due to his father's professional engagements, he grew up in Pennington, New Jersey, and spent his teenage years in Palatine, Illinois.

Michael Bradley's family

Are Bob Bradley and Michael Bradley related? The 36-year-old's parents are Bob and Lindsay Bradley. Bod Bradley, an American football coach known fully as Robert Frank Bradley, is Michael's father. He likely influenced his son's career choice and passion for the game. The footballer grew up alongside two siblings, Kerry and Ryan Bradley.

Michael Bradley's height

The General stands at 6 feet and 1 inch. He is bald and has hazel eyes. Michael Bradley's weight is an estimated 81kg.

Education

Michael Bradley stats
Michael Bradley of Toronto FC reacts after the MLS game against DC United at Audi Field on February 25, 2023, in Washington, DC. Photo: Scott Taetsch (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Bradley attended local primary and high schools before joining Manhattanville College, where he played for the Global Premier Soccer club. The athlete attended Bradenton Academy from 2002 to 2004. He joined the United States Soccer Federation program (USSF) and Nike-sponsored program at 14.

Career

The midfielder started playing as a teenager with MLS's Sockers FC, who participated in the 2002 National Championships and finished third. Bradley also represented the Under-17 American national team. His professional debut came in 2004 after he graduated from Bradenton at 16.

He was selected in the sixth round by the MLS MetroStars, who his father was coaching then. He faced the challenges of nepotism, with some stakeholders claiming that there was an undisclosed agreement to onboard him. Additionally. he missed his debut season due to a foot injury.

Michael Bradley family
Michael Bradley applauds fans on a building outside BMO Field after a game against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on August 18, 2020, in Toronto, Canada. Photo: Vaughn Ridley (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

In 2006, he transferred to the Dutch club Heerenveen, where he stayed until 2008, becoming the youngest MLS player ever to be sold. He moved to Bundesliga's Borussia Mönchengladbach from 2008 to 2011 before signing with Aston Villa on loan in 2011. He did not score any goal with the English Premier League club. After spending one year with Chievo and two with Roma (2012 - 2014), he joined Toronto FC (TFC) as a Designated Player (DP) in 2014.

How long has Michael Bradley played for TFC? The athlete stayed with the club for nine years. Some of Michael Bradley's stats throughout his career include:

  • He attained 15 goals in 55 appearances during his two-year stay with Heerenveen.
  • In January 2008, Bradley broke the record for the most goals scored by an American soccer player in a single season playing in a European first division.
  • During his tenure with the national team, Michael won the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2007 and 2017 and was the runner-up in 2011 and 2019.
  • The midfielder was named the Red Patch Boys Player of the Year in 2014.
  • Bradley won two MLS Cup championships with Toronto FC.

When did Michael Bradley retire?

Michael Bradley height
Michael Bradley announced his retirement in October 2023 and is now an assistant coach for Norwegian club Stabæk. Photo: Matthew Ashton (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

In October 2023, Bradley announced that he would retire at the end of the 2023 season. He made 287 appearances in the MLS and is the third-capped American athlete of all time. In his statement, he cited,

“For the last 10 years, I have spilled my blood, sweat, and tears trying to help this club be the best it could be. There were some incredible days — moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life — and some bad ones too. But I never stopped giving everything I had. Thank you to all my teammates, coaches, and everyone inside the club.… This city and this club will always be home.”

Is Michael Bradley married?

Rob Bradley's son married his lover, Amanda Barletta, in 2011. The player's wife is also an athlete on the University of Rhode Island's Women's tennis team. The couple has two children: Luca, born in 2012, and Quinn Elle, born in 2014.

Michael Bradley's net worth

what is Michael Bradley doing now
Michael Bradley looks on during the American MLS League match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on September 16, 2023, in Toronto, Canada. Photo: Mohammad Karamali (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Bradley is reportedly one of the most successful American athletes, scaling heights locally and abroad. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the footballer is worth $13 million. Michael Bradley's salary at Toronto F.C. was an estimated $6.5 million annually.

According to cbc.ca, Michael gave up his status as a Designated Player and accepted a lesser salary ($1.5 million) for three seasons and $614,285 in his last year, allowing the club to sign new talent.

Additionally, Bradley has worked with renowned brands, most notably Puma. The long-term partnership will see him promote the company's footwear and will serve as the American face of soccer for Puma.

What is Michael Bradley doing now?

After leaving Toronto FC, Bradley transitioned into football management. As of January 2024, he is an assistant coach for the Norwegian club Stabæk under his father, Bob.

Final word

Where is Michael Bradley from? The New Jersey native has beaten numerous odds in his profession to become among the best in the game. Fans can expect exceptional performance from his trainees as he has gained more than enough experience from his years on the pitch.

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Authors
Grace Waruguru photo
Grace Waruguru
Grace has over 4 years of experience in article writing and digital media content creation for various local and global brands. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication (Public Relations) from Daystar University, Kenya.