Photo by Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports
By RYAN TOLMICH
After spending five months in club limbo, Juan Agudelo is reportedly close to getting back on the field, though he still won’t be close playing first-team soccer.
The 21-year-old forward, who has been a free agent since May, is reportedly set to begin a training stint with English Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers. According to the ESPN report, Agudelo’s stay with Wolves is not just a mere training stint as the club views the forward’s presence as a trial.
As such, Agudelo would be allowed to remain with the club despite the ongoing work permit saga that put an end to his time with previous club, Stoke City, before it ever began. Due to the nature of the situation, Agudelo would not be paid, which leaves his presence to be seen as an interview that is allowed by English law.
The report also states that Agudelo could be seen in game action as soon as Friday, as the forward is scheduled to take part in Wolverhampton’s U-21 match against Queens Park Rangers on Friday. The match could be the first of several U-21 matches Agudelo plays in as part of an extended trial.
Agudelo has been out of action since seeing his loan to Dutch side FC Utrecht expire in May. Since, Agudelo has reportedly been pursued by MLS sides as well as Germany’s Werder Bremen, but the young forward has yet to find a stable club situation since leaving MLS a year ago.
What do you make of this development? Hoping he settles somewhere in England, or think he needs to give the Netherlands another go? Still see Agudelo being a factor on the U.S. Men’s National Team this cycle?
Share your thoughts below.