Onyewu joins AC Milan

July 7, 11:11 AMSoccer ExaminerNicholas Richards

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Onyewu is on his way to Milan (AP Photo/Paul Thomas, File)

United States center back Oguchi Onyewu penned a three-year deal with Italian giant AC Milan today, leaving two-time Belgian champion Standard Liege in what could mark the beginning of a busy summer for Americans in the European transfer markets. Onyewu's deal could see him catipulted into the starting lineup immediately with the retirement of Italian legend Paolo Maldini and the constant injury issues of Alessandro Nesta.

The 6-4 center back impressed alongside Jay DeMerit at the recently concluded Confederations Cup in South Africa. The US struggled initially, only to rebound miraculously and reach the final against Brazil - a run that included clean sheets over Egypt and defending European champion and world No. 1 Spain.

This is a fantastic move for Onyewu and great news for the US team as a whole. While he'll never be confused as a pacey center back, Onyewu is a no non-sense tackler and a brute in the air. Serie A is a league renowned for its emphasis on tactics and positional play, and defending is a high priority, so Onyewu will likely feature for the Rossoneri. He was immense in teaming with DeMerit in South Africa, and he was rewarded with a move to a big club. Joining a club of AC Milan's stature - a true European power with 7 European/Champions League titles and 17 Italian titles - will only make Onyewu better. He'll get to use some of the best facilities in the world and will have the chance to learn the Italian art of defending from the likes of Gianluca Zambrotta and Nesta - both World Cup winners in 2006.