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FIT O'BRIEN IN MLS TALKS
Monday, March 20, 2006
Recovered US star John O'Brien has worn the ADO Den Haag shirt for the last time and is in discussions with an unnamed MLS team, Yanks Abroad has learned.

The Los Angeles native is also physically ready to be named to Bruce Arena's World Cup 2006 squad on May 15th.

"He's completely fit," agent Rob Jansen told YA. "Of course [he can be called up], there are no problems with that."

O'Brien left Den Haag to rehab a groin injury back home and never returned, having worked only three contests after arriving from longtime club Ajax prior to this season.

After Saturday night's draw with Roda JC, ADO manager Frans Adelaar told YA that the redhead's time at Zuiderpark had come to an end.

"He went to America around Christmas, and since then I didn't hear from him that he is fit to play," said the coach. "With five games remaining, I don't think he will play for ADO Den Haag anymore."

"He has a contract until the end of this season, and we won't give him a new contract."

On Monday, Jansen confirmed that the World Cup 2002 hero was in negotiations with MLS.

"We both agreed to this, and ADO has been very helpful," said the agent. "He's in the middle of negotiations with an American team. It looks good, and I think it will happen."

Hometown club Chivas USA currently hold the first MLS allocation slot, with Kansas City, Columbus and FC Dallas following in order - however, any of the teams could hypothetically swing a deal for the US midfielder.

Various nagging injuries have badly disrupted O'Brien's career over the better part of the last three years, holding him to a mere eight appearances over that time period.

With Ajax, the 28-year old celebrated two Eredivisie titles and a Dutch Cup.

O'Brien was also key to a thrilling 2002/2003 Champions League run and his dazzling debut goal still ranks as one of the top 20 Ajax strikes of all-time, as voted by the supporters.

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