Sergiño Dest was born on 3 November 2000 in Almere, Netherlands, to an American father and Dutch mother. He grew up in the Netherlands and came through Ajax's renowned academy, one of the most celebrated development programs in world football. His emergence as a professional at Ajax in 2019-20 was rapid, and his speed, technical ability and attacking intent from right back made him one of the most exciting young full-backs in Europe.
In October 2020 Barcelona signed him for around €21 million, a major move that underlined the scale of the expectation around him. His spell at the Camp Nou was uneven — he showed his quality in patches and struggled to maintain consistency amid the broader difficulties Barcelona were facing — and in August 2022 he joined AC Milan on loan, later with an option to buy. At Milan he enjoyed more settled football in Serie A, though injuries limited his impact.
He subsequently moved around European clubs seeking consistency and regular football. By 2025-26 he was focused on regaining his best form and returning to the level that had attracted Barcelona's interest five years earlier.
For the United States, Dest represents one of the most high-profile choices of national allegiance in recent USMNT history. Eligible for both the Netherlands and the USA, he chose the latter and debuted in 2020. He was part of the 2022 World Cup squad and has been a regular option at right back for the national team. His European experience and technical profile make him a premium asset.
Standing 1.75 m, Dest is a right-footed right back who combines the Dutch tradition of technical, attack-minded full-backs with an American appetite for athleticism. His pace, dribbling from wide areas and ability to invert into central positions draw comparisons with Dani Alves in profile if not yet in achievement.