Shane O’Neill’s stay in Belgium was a short one.
After apparently signing a two-year-deal with Belgian outfit Royal Mouscron-Peruwelz in August, the U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team defender is reportedly heading right back to Cyprus, according to Belgian outlet DH.be.
He will apparently rejoin Cypriot club Apollon Limassol, the team he was originally transferred to by the Colorado Rapids in August, after not playing a single game for RMP. His contract with the Belgian side has supposedly been terminated.
O’Neill, 22, has been a part of the U.S. U-23s picture this cycle, but was left off the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying roster in the fall because Royal Mouscron-Peruwelz refused to release him.
The Irish-born defender, who is not cap-tied to the U.S., was signed by the Rapids as a Homegrown player in 2012 before becoming a consistent starter in MLS.
What do you think of this development? Where should O’Neill go from here? Is his spot on the U.S. U-23s in jeopardy?
Share your thoughts below.
People beware there are two L’s in O’Neill, knock the L out of O’Neill and a true Irish one will knock the ‘ell out of you.
Relax glummies
I’m going to say this is the end of Shane O’Neil. He’ll come back and be an MLS lifer or just fall into oblivion
Red flags.
I think this is one of those third party rights deal and the Belgium Club may have seen some warning lights here. He needs to get a new agent/manager. With an Irish passport he should be eligible to join a UK team even in the lower divisions and get some playing time. It was said that the Irish National team was tracking him in Colorado, but with no playing time under his belt, that’s a lost cause.
Supposedly both the Belgian and Cypriot clubs are owned by the same guy.. how else would his “two year contract” just be voided?
O’Neil has the poteintal to be a solid defensive player but for one reason or another teams havn’t been too keen on having him as part of their future plans. Makes you wonder.
I remember watching the US vs England U23 game last year. Lot of young future EPL players on England’s team and the British commentators couldn’t stop complimenting O’Neil. He’s got good size, athletisism, and what looks to be decent defensive instincts. Confusing that he can’t stick anywhere.