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Transfer News

Wolves Don't Want Juan, So Agudelo's Search Continues

Nine months ago Juan Agudelo had an English Premier League club that wanted him, interest from Jurgen Klinsmann, and a seemingly high upside. It's gone downhill fast since then.
BY Brian Sciaretta Posted
October 20, 2014
7:36 PM
JUAN AGUDELO'S PUZZLING search for a club will continue on as Wolverhampton announced Monday that it will not seek to sign the American forward.

Agudelo, 21, last played in the Eredivisie in the spring with Utrecht while on loan from Stoke City. The U.S. international does not have a European passport, however, and his appeal for a United Kingdom work permit was eventually denied.

Since the close of the Eredivisie season, Agudelo has been without a club and had been training with various teams. According to reports, he is attempting to obtain citizenship in Cyprus by way of property acquisition. Where exactly he is in the process—or the likelihood of succeeding in this manner—is unclear but since he is not a regular with the United States national team and has failed in two appeal hearings, Agudelo would surely need an EU passport to play in England now.

The long layoff won't make things easier for the former New England Revolution forward. Agudelo has been training with Wolverhampton but head coach Kenny Jackett recently said that the club would not offer Agudelo a contract due to his lack of fitness.

“To get him up to Championship standard he’d need to play games and it’s hard to go from nothing straight into the Championship,” Jackett told reporters. “That can be tough, and while the odd player does it, most people don’t. You need a run of games and need to build up. It was nothing to do with his ability levels, just that he hasn’t played."

The year began with a great deal of promise for Agudelo, as Stoke was eager to secure his signature and after it did, a subsequent loan to Utrecht offered him an opportunity to adapt to the European game. A March call-up from Jurgen Klinsmann only added to the feeling that Agudelo was on the rise. Since then, he failed to make the preliminary roster for the World Cup, his contract with Stoke was terminated, and he has now been without a club since early May.

It's hard to predict what's next for Agudelo. He could attempt to sign with another English club, but without an EU passport he will likely be turned away again. He could attempt to sign in a European league with fewer non-EU restrictions—including Germany, Belgium, or various countries throughout Scandinavia.

Agudelo could always head back to Major League Soccer, but that would mean no competitive soccer until March 2015.

Where would you like Agudelo to land? Share your take below.

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