Thursday, July 26, 2007

Aha, Well Now... News and Notes 7/26

Most of these are also late. Apologies.

- Sal Zizzo has gone straight from UCLA to the big time in Europe, joining fellow Yank Steve Cherundolo at Hannover 96. Apparently Cherundolo played a large role in securing the deal. One thing is for certain: Americans everywhere will be following the 07-08 Bundesliga come fall. This is getting really exciting.

- Adu to Benfica? Almost, not quite. MLS agreed to a transfer fee ($2mil? I paid more on FIFA) but negotiations stalled over contract issues. It looks like the deal's off for now. Updates are soon to follow, I'm sure.

- Eddie Johnson's turned down Derby of the English Premiership. You can find your own article on this one; they're everywhere. He turned them down for personal reasons. I understand the deal was "95% done" but Johnson felt that his confidence is extremely high at Kansas City and that this confidence is key to his success both at home and internationally. Considering his timid performances this summer, I would have to agree. Good luck with yourself, Eddie.

- Yanks Abroad had it first, and with much more intimacy and detail, but MLSU has posted a condensed summary of Americans playing in the Big Four (EPL in England, Bundesliga in Germany, Serie A in Italy, and La Liga in Spain). I wouldn't have posted it because I feel it's common knowledge, but one of the comments on the post enlightened me to the fact that there are two Americans playing under youth contracts in Spain, of all places: Brandon Manzonelli was recently signed by Villareal and Peter Speigelberg is plying his trade with Atletico Madrid B. Very interesting.

No comments: