Michael Bradley talks moving ahead

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

BIRMINGHAM, England -- Aston Villa says talks to bring United States midfielder Michael Bradley to the Premier League on loan from Bundesliga club Borussia Moenchengladbach until the end of the season are at an "advanced stage."

Carlisle: Bradley to Aston Villa a win-win

With his loan move to Aston Villa, Michael Bradley has improved his career at the club level -- and boosted his prospects on the U.S. national team, writes Jeff Carlisle. Column

ESPN The Magazine's Luke Cyphers reported Saturday that Bradley would be headed to Aston Villa for the rest of the season.

The English club said Sunday on its website that Bradley is due to have a medical and discuss personal terms within the next 24 hours.

The 23-year-old Bradley has made 50 appearances for his country -- including at the 2009 Confederations Cup and World Cup in South Africa last year -- and is the son of U.S. coach Bob Bradley. The midfielder previously played in Major League Soccer and had a spell with Heerenveen before moving to Moenchengladbach about 2½ years ago.

The loan to Aston Villa will end in the summer, leaving Bradley with a year on his current Gladbach contract at the start of the summer's more active transfer market.

The loan also gives Bradley -- who had a breakout performance with the U.S. team at the 2010 World Cup -- a new lease on his club season.

Gladbach is mired in the Bundesliga relegation zone, and though Bradley has played solidly all year, with three goals and three assists through 19 games, he was benched recently as coach Michael Frontzeck looked in vain for a lineup that could produce results. At Villa, the American midfielder joins a team that's showed a renewed vigor since Bent's appearance.

ESPN The Magazine's Luke Cyphers and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print