New York striker Jozy Altidore is headed to Spain and will join La Liga runner-up Villareal, but will most likely be immediately farmed out.
"We have an agreement for Jozy Altidore and are waiting on finalizing the documents," Villareal director Fernando Roig Negueroles told YA. "We'll need to have him in for a physical and agree to terms with the player before everything is finalized."
"We still have time to get things done, he cannot join us until July 1 when the transfer window opens."
Villareal, who are qualified directly to the Champions League group stage, are led by Marcos Senna, Diego Forlan, and American Giuseppe Rossi who turned his back on the country he was born and raised in to play for his parents' native Italy.
The American is already thought to be surplus to requirements for the upcoming season, with fellow La Liga team Recreativo Huelva thought to be the destination for the American's first season in Europe.
Altidore, who was long-rumored to join Real Madrid, will become the US' all-time highest transfer. Though MLS would not comment on an exact figure, sources have pegged the deal to be in excess of $10 million with a sign-on clause thought to be included.
Altidore, 18, made his New York debut in 2006 as a 16-year old, scoring 18 goals in 29 games during his first two seasons which were cut short by numerous international tournaments. This season, Altidore leads New York three goals in eight appearances. |
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