Jozy Altidore, born on November 6, 1989, is a distinguished American former professional soccer player renowned for his role as a striker. He embarked on his professional journey at the tender age of sixteen with the New York Red Bulls, making his debut in 2006. His talent quickly caught the attention of international clubs, leading to a significant transfer to the prestigious Spanish club Villarreal in 2008 for a fee of ten million dollars.
During his tenure at Villarreal, Altidore experienced a series of loan spells that enriched his career. He played for Xerez in the Spanish Segunda División, Hull City in the English Premier League, and Bursaspor in Turkey, each stint contributing to his development as a player. In 2011, he made a pivotal move to AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, where he achieved remarkable success, notably surpassing Clint Dempsey's record for the most goals by an American in a European club season with twenty-four goals during the 2012-13 campaign.
In the summer of 2013, Altidore signed with Sunderland, although his time there was marked by challenges, including a lack of scoring. After one and a half seasons, he returned to Major League Soccer, joining Toronto FC, where he continued to showcase his skills on the field.
On the international stage, Altidore has been a vital player for the United States, representing the nation at various levels. He participated in the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship, the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and the 2008 Beijing Olympics with the U-23 team. Making his senior national team debut in 2007, he has since earned over one hundred ten caps, competing in prestigious tournaments such as the FIFA Confederations Cup and multiple CONCACAF Gold Cups, as well as the FIFA World Cups in 2010 and 2014.