Current Olympian and former Chivas USA goalie Brad Guzan has been granted his UK Work Permit the second go around after initially being turned down during the winter transfer window.

While many have been riding Guzan hard this year after a couple of rough performances, this is still a 23 year old kid who’s got a very bright future ahead of him. And with Brad Friedel as Martin O’Neill’s number 1, Guzan will have the opportunity through trainings, Reserve team action and Cup competitions to solidify his game and growth.

image via Imgs

 UPDATE -  Looks like Blackburn and Villa have agreed to a 2 Million Pound move rather than a 4 Million Pound move for Brad Friedel.

How well has this worked out for Blackburn?  After signing for Graeme Souness on a free transfer (leaving Liverpool after 3 seasons) just after the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Friedel went on to a long 8 years of service that saw Blackburn not only gain promotion to the Premiership and make their way to the upper half of the table, but also gain their way into UEFA Cup competition with Friedel in the nets.

That’s a pretty damn good return if you ask me!  And PS - His first Premiership appearance was against Aston Villa.

With Paul Robinson’s White Hart Lane nightmare almost finished with his proposed 3.5 Million Pound move to Blackburn, Brad Friedel might very well be on his way to Aston Villa in a 4 Million Pound move.

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El Guzano at his best.