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Town Linked With Villa Keeper Monday, 5th Mar 2012 00:02
Town have been linked with Aston Villa’s US international goalkeeper Brad Guzan. The Blues are said to want the 27-year-old initially on loan but are also keen on signing him permanently when his contract is up at the end of the season.
Illinois-born Guzan played university football with the South Carolina Gamecocks, moving on to the Chicago Fire Reserves in the USL Premier Development League, before making his MLS breakthrough with Chivas USA.
In July 2008 Aston Villa signed the 19-times capped full international for £600,000.
Since his move, Guzan’s first team opportunities have been limited — 30 starts, six of those in the Premier League plus two sub appearances - with Shay Given currently the first choice at Villa Park.
The 6ft 4in tall keeper spent the second half of the 2010/11 season on loan at Hull City with whom he made 16 starts.
Guzan is understood to be considering his future with Villa, despite manager Alex McLeish offering him a new contract as recently as last week.
McLeish says he understands why the American might be weighing up whether to move on: "We will give Brad time. It depends on how long though. We have made the offer and we respect that Brad needs time to mull it over.
"I understand the dilemma he is facing but, at the same time, it is not like he is second in command to Joe Hart who is only 24.
"Shay is 35 now and, when Brad has come in, he has proved himself to be a Premier League keeper. Now we know he is Premier League class.
"Brad probably realises that if Shay has a niggle or a problem, or we are going to do anything in the cup competitions, we are going to put him in."
Town are very much in the market for a keeper to come in for the long-term with Alex McCarthy’s loan spell up on April 11th and Reading having a 24-hour emergency recall option.
The Royals are unlikely to allow the 22-year-old to move on a permanent basis in the summer if Town want him, while Richard Wright, currently the third choice, looks set to depart in the summer when his contract is up, perhaps to the US where he has already had a trial with Dallas FC.
Photo: Action Images
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Please let this be true. Guzan is quality and a cut above pretty much any other keeper in the Championship. I'd read the reports about him being fed up with understudying Given earlier in the week and idly wondered about him and us, but assumed he would go to another Premiership side.
Hmmm...interesting one. My initial thought was "never heard of him", but he sounds decent and a loan with a view to a permanent move could be the way to go. We have to sort out the goalkeeping situation.
Been impressed with this lad every time I have seen him. Such a good shot stopper, and with his physical presence, he also dominates when crosses come into the box. He is a class above the rest at this level, which is precisely what Ipswich need. Not old either, which is good.
This is an omen. My mother-in-law bought me a sports jacket from the states because she thought it looked "cool". It was from an MLS team I had never heard of and that team is - Depotivo Chivas. Come on guy, sign up. Even if it's just so I can wear my Chivas trackie to a Town game ;-)
Brad Guzan would probably be the best keeper in this division next year so would definitely want him. Neil Alexander a very good plan B. One of these two, Jason Pearce and Joel Ward, then a cheeky bid for Hobbs or Chester at Hull (meanest defence in the championship) and we will have a seriously strong team. PJ has got us dominating games, creating chances and scoring goals, and now it his time to sort out the defence.
friend of our Cody Cropper I think? would be brilliant if he was to join Town, But i feel unlikely to come about . Think boy's two yank goalkeepers here at Ipswich Brad and Cody, that would be outstanding/Lets hope. COYB
Sign him up, think about all the good US keepers who have played over here over the years, Everton have 2 of them in Howard and hahnemann, Keller and of course Brad Friedel, all have been good keepers so hopefully Guzan could be the next top American glovesman (to use one of Phils words)