Michael Bradley Likely Headed to Italy

It appears Michael Bradley finally has a new home. The 24 year old central midfielder for the U.S. National Team is reportedly on the verge of signing a deal with Chievo Verona of Italy's Serie A. If the deal goes through, Bradley could become just the second U.S. international in the modern era to play a match in Italy's top division, the other being Alexi Lalas.

Photo Credit: concacaf.com

Bradley has become a staple in the U.S. midfield having played in 60 matches since first being called up in 2006. He's also found the net 9 times including goals in the 2010 World Cup against Slovenia and in the Gold Cup Final against Mexico. After a brief stop in MLS, he began his overseas career in 2006 with Dutch side SC Heerenveen. In his third season with the Dutch club he scored 16 goals in league play (an American record) earning him a new contract with Borussia Mönchengladbach in Germany. Bradley scored 10 goals in 3 seasons of Bundesliga action before going on loan to Aston Villa back in January. The move was a failure though as Bradley appeared in just three matches and his loan was not extended. However Bradley now has new life and this move, if it goes through, has the potential to be a great one as it puts him in a position to earn playing time in a league with a high level of competition. This is big for Bradley as an individual and for the U.S. National Team as a whole as he's in a position now to be able to take his game to the next level. Chievo finished 11th in the Serie A last year.