According to Soccer By Ives, New York Red Bulls have traded backup goalkeeper Zach Thornton to Chivas USA for future considerations. Thornton didn’t make a league appearance for New York, although he did start in the exhibition match against Chivas. The move should give Chivas USA an experienced goalkeeper option after Brad Guzan’s transfer officially went through today. The move will also free up some cap space for New York, who are in the market for a striker.
Former Chivas USA and current second choice United States national team goaltender Brad Guzan has spanned the final hurdle in his move to the Premiership. Today, Guzan was granted his work permit, clearing the way for him to sign his previously agreed-to contract with Aston Villa and join Martin O’Neill’s side after the Olympics. Guzan is currently with the United States’ Olympic team in preparation for the Beijing games, where he was selected as one of the squad’s three over-age players.
Guzan and Villa had agreed to a move in January that was canceled because of the inability to secure a work permit. England typically only issues work permits to players who are regulars on their country’s senior national team. In the intervening months, Guzan made more appearances for Bob Bradley and the national team, helping to secure his work permit.
In his three plus seasons with Chivas USA, Guzan played in 82 regular season matches and won an MLS Goaltender of the Year award. He had a shaky start to this MLS season, letting in a couple of howlers, but has recovered to again assert himself as one of the league’s best and Bradley’s choice behind Everton’s Tim Howard.
For Aston Villa, he will have an opportunity to learn from fellow American Brad Friedel, who just transferred to Villa Park from Blackburn. Friedel signed a three year deal, over which he is expected to transition his starting job to Guzan.
According to multiple English and MLS sources, Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan has agreed a deal with Premiership side Aston Villa for $1.5 Million. The 23 year old keeper gave what sounded like a goodbye to Chivas USA fans after last nights 1-1 draw with the LA Galaxy. According to our sources Guzan has agreed a deal and the deal should be announced very soon, which could see yet another successful American goalkeeper make the move to England. Guzan was close to a move earlier this season but did not have the required percentage of senior international caps to secure a work permit. Guzan had also attracted interest from Scottish giants Celtic, through strong performances with Chivas USA and the Mens National Team. We should be getting some more information on the transfer details and the details of Guzan’s contract, make sure to check back often. What do you think of the move? Good for Brad? What’s next for Chivas USA?
UPDATE: Our tips turned out to be true, Soccer By Ives is now reporting $3 Million transfer fee, bargain for Villa.
UPDATE 2: Looks like the transfer fee is now reported at being only $1.5 Million, mainly because Guzan is in his last year under contract, but Villa just got a major steal.
