Brad Guzan is set to make a return to the MLS as the 32-year-old goalkeeper will join Atlanta United in the summer.
It was a big day for Atlanta United on Wednesday, with the announcement of Guzan joining the club. The USMNT netminder will be joining the new franchise in the summer after his season concludes in England.
The 32-year-old is currently a member of Premier League side Middlesbrough, who presently sit in 16th place in the table. He hasn’t been a regular in the starting lineup, and has had to compete with playing time in net with Victor Valdes. In total, he’s only made four appearances for the club in the 2016-17 campaign.
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Atlanta acquired Guzan with their No. 1 draft pick from the MLS Allocation Process. The signing is a multi-year deal. If you’re unfamiliar with the allocation process. Read this from the MLS Roster Rules and Regulation.
"The Allocation Process is the mechanism used to determine which MLS Club has first priority to acquire a player listed on the Allocation Ranking List. The list will consist of (i) select U.S. Men’s National Team players, (ii) elite youth U.S. National Team players, or (iii) former MLS players returning to MLS after joining a non-MLS club for a transfer fee greater than $500,000. Generally, the Allocation Ranking List will be updated once a year on the day after the conclusion of the MLS regular season. The Allocation Ranking List will only be edited during the year if a player is transferred out of the league or if a top youth national team player is added to the list."
Guzan moved overseas in 2008 with a transfer to Aston Villa. He made over 100 appearances for the club and also spent a season with Hull City in the Championship (English second division) on loan.
Chivas USA was where Guzan got his professional career started. He was drafted in 2005 in the first round as the second overall pick. In 2007, he was named the MLS goalkeeper of the year.
Most recently, the Illinois native has been the No.1 option in net for the USMNT, having moved his way up to the starting job past Tim Howard.
Next: 10 Best Signings of the 2016 MLS Season
This is a great signing for a club that is just beginning its journey in the MLS. Guzan brings years of experience playing against some of the best players in the world. He doesn’t appear to be on the downward trend in his career yet, despite not getting much playing time this season.