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MLS Ticker: Giovinco receives offer from China; Onyewu trains with the Union; and more

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The wealthy claws of the Chinese Super League could be stretching into MLS to snatch another star.

According to Football Italia, Toronto FC striker and 2015 MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco has received an offer from an unnamed club in the CSL and will hold a discussion with Toronto about his future.

“The Chinese club seems to be very interested, but I don’t think it’ll be easy to take him away from Toronto,” said Giovinco’s agent, Andrea D’Amico, according to the report.

An unnamed Toronto FC source tells Canadian outlet Sportsnet that no Chinese team has been in touch with TFC about Giovinco.

Giovinco, who helped lead Toronto FC to the MLS Cup Final this past season, has tallied 39 goals and 31 assists in 61 games since joining MLS in January of 2015. He turns 30 on Thursday.

The CSL signed away former Seattle Sounders star Obafemi Martins last February and outbid Atlanta United for Paraguayan forward Oscar Romero in December.

FORMER USMNT DEFENDER ONYEWU TRAINING WITH THE UNION

Oguchi Onyewu’s search for a new club has landed him in the City of Brotherly Love.

The 34-year-old defender was seen training with with the Philadelphia Union on Tuesday, though he is not with the club as a trialist.

After being released from English side Charlton Athletic in May of 2015, Onyewu has been trying to find a new home with a couple of different teams.

He first was given a trial session with New York City FC immediately following his release, but was not signed by the club after sustaining an injury. This past June, Onyewu joined Scottish side Rangers for 10 days for its preseason camp, but was unable to secure a permanent contract either.

Despite having more than 60 caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team, Onyewu has never played professional league matches in the U.S.

Two players who are on trial with the Union are Fabrice Picault and Adam Najem. The Union reportedly acquired the rights to Najem from the New York Red Bulls, who had his rights after offering him a homegrown player contract a year ago.

AGBOSSOUMONDE ON TRIAL WITH THE SOUNDERS

After spending his past two years in the NASL, Gale Agbossoumonde appears ready to make another run at MLS action.

The 25-year-old former U.S. Men’s National Team defender is currently on trial with reigning MLS Cup champions, the Seattle Sounders.

Agbossoumonde is coming off a season with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, with whom he made 28 starts.

The 2010 U.S. Soccer Young Male Athlete of the Year last appeared in an MLS game in 2013 with Toronto FC. He was then traded to the Colorado Rapids, who declined his option following the 2014 campaign.

MINNESOTA UNITED SIGNS FINNISH INTERNATIONAL SCHULLER

Minnesota United made one more move on a busy Tuesday for the club.

Shortly after announcing the signing of Jermaine Taylor and Bernardo Anor, the Loons added another piece ahead of their inaugural MLS season in 25-year-old midfielders Rasmus Schüller.

The Finnish international joins Minnesota from Swedish side BK Häcken, where he featured in approximately half of the league matches last season. Prior to that, he tallied 10 goals in 88 appearances for Finnish powerhouse HJK from 2012-15.

“He’s the perfect age for our club at 25. He’s an experienced national team player with Finland,” MNUFC head coach Adrian Heath said. “When we were first looking at him he kept jumping out at us. We spoke to his national team coach and former head coach and each were incredibly complimentary of his talents and his character. We have made it a point to sign players that are right for this club both on and off the pitch, and he fits into that mold perfectly.”

Schüller will be officially added to Minnesota’s roster pending receipt of his ITC and P-1 Visa.

Comments

  1. If you are Giovinco and you were told you couldn’t be on the national team because you play in MLS and Graziano Pelle is still getting called up out of the Chinese League and they are willing to pay you more money than TFC which I am guessing they are, why wouldn’t you.

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  2. If I am Giovinso, it comes down to how much money they are offering. If they offer him $15 – 20 million a year guaranteed, TAKE IT unless TFC comes close. If I am TFC, try to match unless it is ridiculous.

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  3. Giovinco should take the money and run! Can you imagine how good he would be if he was dining on shark fin soup and tiger penis soup every day! He would be strong like Bull! Not to mention the air quality in China is so much better.

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  4. If China wants to offer some silly transfer fee for Giovinco MLS should accommodate that sale. With that said, MLS proved with the Obafemi Martins sale it doesn’t comprehend how to operate in the transfer market without being taken advantage of.

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  5. Adu and Boss trialing in the Pacific Northwest at the same time? Whispers from the Ghosts of American Soccer Hype’s Past.

    Reply

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