Middlesbrough have agreed a deal to sign American goalkeeper Brad Guzan from Aston Villa who has penned a two-year contract at the Riverside today.

The 31-year-old becomes Boro’s eighth signing of the summer following their promotion to the Premier League and joins for an undisclosed fee with just one year left on his contract at Villa Park.

Plenty of experience in the top flight

Guzan made 34 appearances for Villa last season, in what turned out to be a woeful campaign for Midlands club, as they were relegated from the top flight with just 17 points.

Guzan playing for Aston Villa last season (Picture from Sky Sports)
Guzan playing for Aston Villa last season (Picture from Sky Sports)

Even so Guzan joins Aitor Karanka’s team with 144 Premier League appearances under his belt and has been capped 50 for the American national team.

Guzan joined Villa for around 600,000 from Chivas USA back in 2008 and has since established himself as a first choice keeper in England’s top division.

The American was voted Villa’s player of the season in the 2012/13 campaign and played every game in the USA’s run to Copa America semi-final earlier this year.

A couple of visible mistakes last campaign may have devalued Guzan’s stock; however the American should still provide strong competition for the number one jersey at the Riverside.

Competition for the number one jersey at the Riverside

Boro have already signed ex-Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes in this transfer window and many will still expect the Spaniard to be Karanka’s first choice shot stopper.    

Guzan’s arrival will also leave question marks over last season’s regular Dimi Konstantopulos who, at 38-years-old, may be denied a chance to express himself in the top flight.

27-year-old Tomas Mejias has also produced some commendable displays between the sticks over the past two years, but could face the prospect of being pushed down the pecking order.

Boro’s next game comes against Guzan’s former side when Boro face Villa away from home in tomorrow’s pre-season friendly.

Karanka side will then travel to Italy to face Udinese on August 3 before their final pre-season game at home to Real Sociedad on August 6.

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About the author
Joe Nicholson
Sports Journalism student at Sunderland University. Writer for the Championship and tennis offices.