One of MLS’ most promising talents will leave for the Premier League on new year’s day 2014.
New England Revolution’s Juan Agudelo has signed a pre-contract with Stoke City FC of the Premier League.
This means that upon the expiration of Agudelo’s contract on December 31st he will become a Stoke player.
FIFA rules dictate that when a player has less than six months left to run on his contract, he may be approached by other clubs to sign for them for free. The transfer will then take place at the end of the six remaining months.
Agudelo will be linking up with fellow USA internationals Brek Shea, Geoff Cameron and Maurice Edu when the European winter transfer window opens.
This is bad news for New England fans, who have only been able to witness Agudelo playing in Revolution colours for half a season, much of which has been blighted by injuries.
That said, Agudelo’s form has barely suffered with the striker scoring 5 goals in 11 combined appearances for both Revolution and former club Chivas USA.
Agudelo could be a good fit for Stoke, with his physique and height perfectly suited to the physical game Stoke are so well known for. He also boasts more pace than Stoke strikers Peter Crouch, Kenwyne Jones, Cameron Jerome and Jon Walters, so will certainly fill a gap in the team’s needs up front.
Whilst Agudelo has not been a recent favourite of USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, a strong series of performances in a league like the Premier League would do wonders for his 2014 World Cup chances.