Edson Buddle's European venture has come to a screeching halt.
Despite Buddle scoring six goals for FC Ingolstadt this season, the club released him from his contract Tuesday for unspecified reasons. Buddle had been sent away from the team prior to the 2. Bundesliga's winter break, the first indication that his time in Germany may have been coming to a premature close.
What's next for Buddle remains to be seen. He had trained with West Ham and was on trial with Everton, but neither of those stints amounted to transfers. He was also reportedly on trial with relegation-threatened Westerlo in Belgium, but nothing came of it. Because he is out of contract, he should be still be eligible to sign with clubs in Europe outside of the transfer window, so Tuesday's deadline is not a deal-breaker for any potential move abroad.
It should be noted that when Buddle left the Los Angeles Galaxy following the 2010 MLS season, it was on a free transfer, meaning that the Galaxy were not given a fee for him and that the club should retain his MLS rights, should he return to the league.
When Buddle left the Galaxy a little more than a year ago, he said in a team statement that "I am hopeful that one day I will be able to return to the Galaxy and help lead them to an MLS Cup championship."
It is possible that return may be coming sooner than he initially imagined.
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