Francis Tanner James Tessmann

Francis Tanner James Tessmann is an American midfielder born in Birmingham, Alabama. He joined FC Dallas’s academy at 14, where he developed before becoming the club’s 28th Homegrown player in early 2020. Tessmann made his senior debut that February and soon moved into professional football, using his size and right foot in central midfield. In 2021, he transferred to Venezia, experiencing Serie A before spending two seasons in Serie B and helping the club earn promotion back to Italy’s top flight. His performances there established him as a deeper midfielder who can help control tempo and progress possession. Lyon signed Tessmann in August 2024, adding him to its midfield and making France his next major stage. Internationally, Tessmann represented the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympics and captained the team while remaining involved with the U.S. setup.