Atlanta United today announced it has signed goalkeeper Brad Guzan to a multi-year contract via Major League Soccer’s Allocation Process, using Targeted Allocation Money. Courtesy of the MLS Expansion Priority Draft, Atlanta United held the No. 1 spot in the Allocation Ranking Order and exercised that spot to acquire Guzan, who was designated under the league’s 2017 Allocation Ranking List. Guzan, currently contracted with Middlesbrough of the English Premier League, will be added to the club’s roster upon the opening of the Secondary Transfer Window (July 10), pending receipt of his ITC.
“Brad is a proven Premier League and International goalkeeper and we’re delighted that he’s joining our Club,” Atlanta United President Darren Eales said. “Once we made the decision to select the top pick in the allocation process, we were keen on acquiring him. We look forward to having him become an integral part of our team.”
Guzan, 32, joins Atlanta United after spending the last nine years playing in the English Premier League for Aston Villa and Middlesbrough. He began his career in MLS with Chivas USA after being selected No. 2 overall in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft. He played four seasons with Chivas from 2005-2008, making 78 starts and leading the team to the playoffs three times. After helping Chivas win the Western Conference championship title in the regular season, Guzan was crowned the 2007 MLS Goalkeeper of the year and named to the MLS Best XI.
In 2008 he transferred to Aston Villa, where he spent eight seasons, tallying 144 appearances in the top flight of English football. The 6-foot-4 goalkeeper became a regular starter for Villa in the 2012-13 season where he made 36 appearances and was named the Aston Villa Player of the Year. Over the next three seasons, Guzan remained the No. 1 keeper and made 171 appearances across all competitions.
Guzan signed with newly promoted Middlesbrough ahead of the 2016-17 season after Villa were relegated to the Championship. So far with Middlesbrough, Guzan has made five combined appearances.
Internationally, Guzan He been capped for the United States Men’s National Team 53 times, making his debut Feb. 19, 2006 against Guatemala. He was a part of the USMNT squad for each of the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, 2007 and 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cups, as well as the 2007 Copa America and 2016 Copa America Centenario, where he served as the starting goalkeeper.
In college, Guzan played two seasons in college with the University of South Carolina where he started 38 games. He recorded 13 clean sheets and made 173 saves during his time with the Gamecocks while making it to the NCAA Tournament in 2004.
