"Fulhamerica" are at it again. Fulham have long been known as a haven for American international players in England, and on Thursday they added one more to their ranks by signing defender Tim Ream from Bolton Wanderers. The 27-year-old, who was a member of the United States Men's National Team squad at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, has joined the Craven Cottage side on a four-year contract.

Ream has been at the center of an intriguing transfer saga over the last few weeks between Queen's Park Rangers and Fulham. Just days ago, it appeared that QPR had the deal all but completed after having a number of bids for the defender rejected. However, Fulham came in with a late bid and have gotten their man. The defender seems thrilled with where he has ended up, but is rather pleased that the saga is over with.

“I’m more than pleased to be here,” Ream Fulham's official club website. “It’s been a long time coming now, over the past week and a half it’s gone back and forth so I’m glad its finally sorted. The biggest thing was the history, walking into the training ground and feeling the vibe around the Club and the success that previous American players have had here.”

He will be joining fellow US international Emerson Hyndman at Craven Cottage. The young midfielder starred this past summer for the US U-20 National Team at the U-20 World Cup, and is viewed as the future of the Fulham midfield. Should both go on to develop as first team regulars, they would join the likes of Brian McBride, Kasey Keller, Carlos Bocanegra and Clint Dempsey in the ranks of American stars to grace West London.

Ream has made 13 appearances for the USMNT, and will be hoping that this transfer will earn him more game action from Jurgen Klinsmann. His sterling play for Bolton last season earned him a call-up to the late fall friendly against the Czech Republic and to the Gold Cup, where he played the full 90 minutes of the USMNT's group stage victory over Haiti. Whether or not this will lead to more international appearances for the defender is yet to be seen.

Fulham currently sit just outside the relegation zone in the English Football League Championship with just one point from three matches. The Cottagers next play on Saturday at home against Huddersfield Town, at which time Ream will hope to make his debut.

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About the author
Liam McMahon
American sports journalist based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin who has been affiliated with VAVEL for more than a year. Co-editor of the soccer section at VAVEL USA and international football writer at VAVEL UK.