/world sport
BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) -- United States goalkeeper Brad Guzan is on the verge of moving to the Premier League after Chivas USA agreed a transfer fee with Aston Villa on Saturday.
Guzan would become the fourth American goalkeeper playing in the Premiership.
The switch from Major League Soccer is reliant on Guzan obtaining British work permit, which thwarted a deal in January.
The Birmingham club are more confident that that barrier can be overcome now that Guzan has made some more international appearances, including playing against England at Wembley in May.
"Aston Villa can confirm that a fee has been agreed this morning for Brad Guzan and he will become a Villa player subject to gaining a work permit," the club said Saturday.
Villa have just one senior goalkeeper, Stuart Taylor, after Thomas Sorensen was released and Scott Carson returned to Liverpool following a loan spell.
The 24-year-old Guzan would be the fourth American goalkeeper currently in the Premier League, after Blackburn's Brad Friedel, Everton's Tim Howard and Fulham's Kasey Keller.
"Hopefully it will all go and I will be able to sign," said Guzan.
Guzan played in the 1-1 draw with the LA Galaxy on Friday in what was likely to have been his last game for Chivas.
"I would love to sign for Villa," Guzan said. "When I was there in January for a few days, it was an absolutely brilliant time. Great people, great facilities and I couldn't say one bad thing about it ...
"Being amongst good people who understand the game of football and are able to put players out on the pitch to compete week in, week out, that is important to me and that is what I want to be involved in.
"It looks like exciting times at Villa and I would love to play for Martin O'Neill," Guzan said. "When I met Martin at the end of January, he was a fabulous guy, a great person. The entire staff were outstanding.
Guzan was named MLS goalkeeper of the year in October after his third year as a professional. He led Chivas to the best record in the Western Conference and ranked first among goalkeepers, with 13 clean sheets.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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