Fri Jul 11 19:16:24 2008

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Goats' Guzan reportedly headed to England

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Carson, CA (Sports Network) - According to numerous reports, Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan, Major League Soccer's reigning goalkeeper of the year, is headed to English Premier League side Aston Villa.

Apparently the move was finalized early on Friday and is pending approval of a work permit. MLS and Villa reportedly agreed on a $1.5 million transfer fee for the 23-year-old.

Jorge Vergara, the Mexican businessman who is a part-owner of Chivas USA, confirmed Friday to the L.A. Times that Guzan was headed to England, although he failed to state the club.

"Yes, it's true," Vergara told the Times. "He's leaving for Europe, to England specifically, and we're very happy and very glad that another Chivas player is going to Europe. We're going to replace him with a very talented goalkeeper from Saprissa in Costa Rica. A very young one but very talented."

Keilor Navas Gamboa, 21, is believed to be the goalkeeper Vergara was referring to.

Guzan, Chivas USA's first ever draft pick in 2005, had been a target of both Celtic in Scotland and Aston Villa earlier this year, but he was not granted a work permit hours before the winter transfer window closed, nixing a move to Europe. Since then, Guzan has gone 6-5-4 with a 1.33 goals against average with Chivas USA while appearing in four of seven U.S. national team games, increasing his chances of earning a work permit this time around.