Aston Villa sign US keeper

2008-07-12 16:49

London - Aston Villa are set to sign US goalkeeper Brad Guzan after agreeing a fee with his current club Chivas USA.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill agreed a fee in the region of two million pounds for Guzan during the January transfer window but the deal fell through after he failed to obtain a work permit.

This time around the Birmingham outfit have again reached agreement with the Major League Soccer (MLS) club for Guzan who played against England as a second-half substitute at Wembley in May.

And Guzan's increased number of international appearances - he has been involved in five of the last eight internationals - means Villa are more hopeful of gaining Home Office approval.

In addition to his appearance against England, he has started against Sweden and Barbados and came off the bench against Switzerland, South Africa and Spain in internationals since October 2007.

A Villa spokesperson said: "Aston Villa can confirm that a fee has been agreed this morning for Brad Guzan and he will become a Villa player subject to gaining a work permit."

Guzan will become Villa's second summer signing after Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell who moved from Stamford Bridge for around five million pounds earlier this week.

- AFP