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Report: Guzan to complete free transfer to Middlesbrough

Brad Guzan Aston Villa 33

After losing out on some playing time last season and his team’s relegation to the English Championship, U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Brad Guzan’s future with Aston Villa remained up in the air.

Now, it appears the veteran keeper has found a potential landing spot for the 2016/17 season.

According to theĀ Telegraph, Aston Villa is prepared to let Guzan leave the club on a free transfer this summer in order for the U.S. keeper to join newly-promoted Premier League side Middlesbrough.

Guzan currently has one year remaining on his contract at Villa, but the report states the club and its new management are willing to cut their losses with the American.

The 31-year-old made 28 Premier League appearances with Villa last season. Guzan first joined Aston Villa back in 2008 from now-defunct MLS side Chivas USA.

While Middlesbrough has completed the signing of Spanish keeper Victor Valdes this offseason, Guzan could at the very least play a role of backup next season.

What do you think of the reported move? How would Guzan fare with Middlesbrough?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Guzan is better than average, but not great in my opinion and this move keeps him playing(hopefully) top level football where he’ll be tested and can remain sharp. The jury is still out on whether he’ll beat out Valdes considering he has a propensity for bad blunders but let’s hope he makes the most of it for his and the US’ sake

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  2. The US #1 keeper should not be warming the bench on on a likely relegation candidate team. Maybe it’s time to go back to Timmy as starter

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  3. A lot of ignorant comments in here. “Average at best.” “Championship level.” Come on, guys. He’s getting picked up by an EPL team and I think he will end up winning the starting spot.

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    • Right on! What’s not to like about this move. He’ll be competing for the starting spot at an EPL team. Don’t kid yourself,….Aston Villa were putrid. Any keeper playing in front of that team would have struggled mightily.

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      • not saying he was at fault for villa’s relegation, but looking at the player as an individual. remember a few years back when everyone was all over Tim Ream for moving to “the premier league” even though he was hardly an MLS standout. what happened next was he was relegated and was playing more at his level and has made a nice career for himself, at the right level.

  4. Guzan is average at best. He is not a top quality keeper. Bill Hamid needs to stay healthy long enough to claim the #1 spot, which he eventually will.

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    • As much as I like Hamid (I’m a DC Fan), he is not an upgrade to Guzan or Howard. Hamid is a good shot stopper but struggles with directing his defense and often gives up big re-bounds. The fact that Hamid cannot seem to stay healthy has slowed his progress to the point that he’s not even a clear choice # 3 for the US. Bingham, Yarbrough, Horvath, & Hamid are all basically grouped together right now fighting it out for the 3rd keeper spot…..while Steffens, Cropper, & Horton aren’t far behind.
      If Horvath & Steffens keep progressing the way they have recently I could easily see them leapfrog up the depth chart quickly.

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  5. Valdes has only played 11 matches across all competitions the last two years, and was sent back early by Standard Liege so you would think Guzan would at least have a chance especially considering Valdes has been in camp for a while and they still went after Brad.

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  6. Don’t like this deal. Valdes is a great keeper as well. This can only be a good deal if he is the #1. While the competition would be great, Guzan needs to be playing as the #1.

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  7. Guzan is a Championship-level player. Why not go there, get 35+ games/season instead of sitting behind Valdes and getting maybe 10?

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