Brad Guzan Transfer to Aston Villa

Another American goalkeeper for Aston Villa is on the cards as Brad Guzan recently got his work permit to turn out for the English Premier League side. Signed during the January transfer window, Guzan’s contract was confirmed last week and the ex-soccer club Chivas USA goalkeeper will join Brad Friedel, who also signed with the team last week.

Brad Guzan has had an impressive career at the college as well as professional level. In college, he had an outstanding 8 clean-sheets in 18 appearances, conceding less than 1 goal per game, on an average. In 4 years with Chivas USA, he played 82 games for the team and was their, no-nonsense, first-choice keeper throughout his stint.

At Aston Villa, Guzan will be joining another American goalkeeper, Brad Friedel. Between ‘94 and ’98, Friedel tried three times, without success, to play in England each time due to work permit issues barring him from plying his trade. Liverpool FC signed him in 1997 and, appealed a rejection, to get him his work permit. With over 30 games in 3 years, including UEFA Cup ties, Brad gained invaluable experience with the team and moved to Blackburn Rovers in 2000. In 2008, after 8 sensational seasons with Rovers, Friedel was unveiled by Aston Villa at half-time of their Intertoto game against Odense Bk. The American had proved his mettle without doubt during his prosperous years at Rovers and Villa will be hoping that he will be the ideal foil for Villa’s push for European positions in the 2008-09 season.

Aston Villa coach Martin O’Neill has seen and done it all in his coaching career. The legendary Scotsman has won many accolades, including the UEFA cup, in his time with Celtic. Since 2006, O’Neill has been Aston Villa’s man in-charge and has led them to 6^th spot in the Premiership battle in 2007-08, narrowly missing out on the UEFA Cup spot. The team, under O’Neill, has played sensational football, scoring 71 goals, their highest since winning the title in 1981.

Guzan is coming into a club on the rise and although Brad Friedel will probably be the first-choice man between the sticks, Guzan will rely heavily on his countryman to get acclimatized to the way things work in England. Martin O’Neill is definitely looking at a long term prospect with Guzan and the move has definitely been timed well to coincide with the dependable Friedel’s move to Villa Park. Whether Guzan goes on loan to get some on-field action or plays with the reserve team, he will be under the watchful eye of a magical manager and under the able guidance of his national team teammate. The opportunity to grow is immense for the young American and after the Olympics, Guzan will be officially presented to fans at Villa Park.