Speculation that former Houston Dynamo midfielder Stuart Holden was going to sign with Portuguese power Sporting Braga quickly diminished after the club denied any validity to the rumor.
The Daily Mirror, a UK news outlet, reported that Bolton turned down the chance to sign Holden and that the American would instead sign with Sporting Braga in Portugal.
Ricardo Lemes, Sporting Braga's press officer, put an end to the speculation. "It's not true," Lemes told Yanks Abroad.
"Our team is closed right now, we have made all the changes," Lemes went on to say in regards to his club's connection with the American midfielder.
In the Portuguese first division, teams have a limited amount of winter moves they can make. Sporting Braga has made all the moves possible this winter, thus signing Holden would be against league rules.
The 24-year-old has been on trial for both Burnley FC and Bolton of the English Premier League this winter, in hopes of finding a home on European soil. The Houston Dynamo have offered Holden a long-term contract that would raise his salary considerably.
This winter, the American has garnered interest from teams in Scotland and England, apart from MLS wanting him to sign a new contract. |
Thursday January 21, 2010
8:36 pm |
Since he has a Scottish Passport as well as his US citizenship... you would think that his chances of signing with a European team should have been much easier than for most American players... so why has it taken so long?
He clearly is a talented young midfielder who is on a free transfer so I just find it strange that it's taking as long as it is.
With MLS is possible limbo this spring, and now with Clint Dempsey in doubt...we need this kid to be playing in Europe and soon. I really would like to see him signed and playing there as I doubt that resigning here is in his best interests long term.
— Robert Kiernan
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Thursday January 21, 2010
2:55 pm |
He desperately needs to get out of MLS to develop his game further. Maybe 5 years from now MLS will have a style of play that will allow him to grow. It's not there yet. He has the potential to be a very special player.
— duriseti
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