Um, I can't read Italian, but THERE IS a breaking news story right on the front page of the AC Milan site and Onyewu is the headline
I took a look at AC Milan's defensive lineup via transfermarkt.de and it seems, at least, according to the market values, that he has a decent chance to start!
Someone had a fairly prescient post in the other thread a while back about how Gooch would surprise us all and end up signing for a huge club that wasn't even on the radar. I'd been thinking about that recently wondering if he was right.
http://www.acmilan.com/index.aspx (they've updated only the Italian and Spanish version of the website (including this story) so here you go: "COMUNICATO STAMPA A.C. MILAN 07/07/2009 L’A.C. Milan informa di aver tesserato a titolo definitivo il difensore OGUCHI ONYEWU, dallo Standard Liegi, a fine contratto. Il calciatore, che gioca con la nazionale americana, è in possesso anche del passaporto belga e ha sottoscritto un contratto con scadenza 30 giugno 2012. Quest’operazione testimonia, una volta di più, gli eccellenti rapporti di amicizia fra la nostra società e lo Standard Liegi e, in particolar modo, con il suo Vice Presidente Esecutivo Luciano D’Onofrio." and the Spanish version, with translation... A.C. MILAN: COMUNICADO OFICIAL AC Milan Official release 07/07/2009 El A.C. Milan informa haber adquirido a título definitivo al defensor OGUCHI The AC Milan club has permanently acquired defender Gooch from .... ONYEWU, del Standard Lieja. El jugador, con pasaporte blga e internacional The player, who has a Belgium passport and who is an American international americano, firmó hasta el 30 de junio de 2012. Esta operación demuestra la signed until June 30 2012. THis transaction demonstrates the enormous friendshipenorme amistad del Milan y el Standard y en particular con suVice Presidente between Milan and Standard, particularly with its Executive Vice President Ejecutivo Luciano D’Onofrio Luciano D’Onofrio DAtos (ie Gooch facts) ONYEWU: LOS DATOS 07/07/2009 MILÁN - Oguchi Onyewu nació en Washington el 13 de Mayo de 1982, y fue Born in Washington on May 13, 1982 campeón en Bélgica con el Standard Lieja y fue el mejor jugador en la Champion on Belgium with SL and best player Confederations Cup en el partido entre USA y España, y muy bien ante Egipto. in the Confederations Cup game between US and Spain and played very well v. Egypt Crecido en el college de Clemson University y Finalista de Confederations Cup, Grew up in Clemson University and was Confederations Cup finalist Onyewu tiene 117 partidos (6 goles) con el Standard. Jugó en el Metz, en La Gooch has 117 games (6 goals) with SL. PLayed for Metz, Louviere Louviere y en el Newcastle.Con USA ganó la Gold Cup en el 2005 y en el 2007 and Newcastle. With the US he won the Gold Cup in 2005 and 2007 ,con 38 partidos y 5 goles. with 38 games and 5 goals
I was 100% right at that time about Gooch. I have since posted about 100 times that he has improved a lot and plays with his feet instead of his hands!
Excited about his prospects....but i gotta emphasize this: Gooch will need to step up his distribution skills significantly in order not to struggle in this department in a league as tough tactically as Serie A is....
So Gooch is the first American field player to ever to sign a permament contract top 5 euro club!?!? actually, I am wrong Spector and Karbassaboon played with some top teams..... but you get the point....
This is probably the biggest club out there that might give Onyewu a good chance to start. The only central defender who started consistently last season (Maldini) just retired. Nesta, who's been a fixture for them in the past, was injured all of last season and is getting up there in age. And Milan haven't brought in any other defenders, I don't believe. Even, if Onyewu doesn't start, Milan were very good about rotating their backup CB's last season, with all 5 CB's receiving at least 12 starts. But that may have been due to Nesta's absense. Onyewu should get his opportunities either way.
Wow, I am amazed. I hope he will be on their American tour, as I have tickets to the game here in Atlanta. That is awesome and I hope he earns a starting spot and dominates Serie A.
What, no one wants to bitch about why he did not go to Madrid??? BTW, this sort of ensures Becks will have an American next to him in training wherever he goes.... so Becks better cut the crap
Why bitch? It's Milan!!! I'm just glad he didn't go to Birmingham or Wolves! Also I am selfishly thrilled that I might be able to watch him play seeing as both FSC and GOLTV carry Serie A games....