It would appear that Stoke City are doing their best to become the favorite club of American soccer fans with the news they've signed forward Juan Agudelo to a pre-contract.
Juan Agudelo set to join Stoke City in January after signing a pre-contract
The New England Revolution striker will leave MLS in January after agreeing to a pre-contract with Stoke City. If MLS and Stoke can agree to a transfer fee, the move could happen this summer.
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The 20-year-old is yet another American player who was burdened with the unrealistic expectations of USA fans at a young age and has subsequently struggled to find consistent success. It’s hard to say that he’s really ready to make the move to Europe but it’s happening for better or worse.
Agudelo’s contract with MLS expires on Dec. 31 and players are allowed to sign a contract with a new team once they are within six months of their current deal ending. Unless MLS can work out a transfer deal with the Potters -- which reportedly is being discussed to move Agudelo this summer -- the league will not receive a transfer fee.
Agudelo came up through the New York Red Bull Academy and played three seasons with the team before being traded to Chivas USA. After the well-publicized philosophy change at Chivas USA, Agudelo was again moved on to the Revolution earlier this year where he's made five appearances with three goals. He's missed the last seven weeks with a knee injury.
He’ll join fellow Americans Geoff Cameron, Maurice Edu and Brek Shea at Stoke.
