Photo by Perry McIntyre/ISIPhotos.com
BY ADAM SERRANO
Oguchi Onyewu is returning to the Low Countries.
The United States national team defender is joining Dutch club, FC Twente on loan until the end of the season from AC Milan. At Twente, Onyewu will be reunited with his former Standard Liege head coach Michel Preud'homme. The pair helped Standard win the Belgian title in 2008 before Preud'homme departed Standard for fellow Belgian side Gent.
Onyewu will be expected to provide needed defensive cover and challenge for a spot on the first team immediately. Twente is currently second in the Eredivisie, just a point off of leaders PSV Eindhoven. Twente is also involved in the UEFA Europa League Round of 32, where it will face off against Russian club Rubin Kazan.
UNION FIND SHIRT SPONSOR
The Philadelphia Union announced the first shirt sponsor in team history on Tuesday, Mexican baking company Bimbo. The Union's deal with Bimbo is for a total of four years and $12 million, adding needed funds for a club that did not have a jersey sponsor last season. The Mexican bakery has close ties to Pennsylvania, as its American headquarters are based in Horsham, Pa.
Per the agreement, Bimbo becomes a sponsor for Major League Soccer, which could lead to future advertisements and promotions at all MLS stadiums.
GALAXY DEAL FOR CRISTMAN
As Edson Buddle departs for Germany, the Galaxy acquired D.C. United forward Adam Cristman. Los Angeles dealt their first-round pick in the 2011 Supplemental Draft for Cristman, who scored two goals and had one assist in 17 appearances for United last season.
Cristman is a four-year veteran of MLS, scoring 12 goals and six assists while playing for the New England Revolution, Kansas City Wizards now known as Sporting KC, and D.C. United. Cristman has made a scant 68 appearances, having missed most the of 2008 and 2009 seasons due to injury.
FIRE SIGNS PAIR OF PLAYERS
The Chicago Fire added a couple of new additions on Tuesday, signing Daniel Pladini, a 26-year-old midfielder from USSF D-2 side Carolina Railhawks, and Croatian defender Josip Mikulic. Pladini comes to the Fire after a successful career with the Railhawks, having twice been named to the league's Best XI. Mikulic has spent the last five seasons for NK Zagreb in the Croatian first division.
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Happy that Onyewu is finally out of Milan? Ready for loads of jokes due to the Union's new jersey sponsor? Will a Cristman/Magee forward pairing have success for the Galaxy?
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