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One of Alex McLeish’s first decisions as new manager of Aston Villa has been to pass on US international Michael Bradley, according to a report by Soccer By Ives.

The American blog reports that Bradley’s agent has confirmed that the US midfielder will not be returning to Aston Villa next season. The story says that the club, when they were under manager Gerard Houllier, were very interested in acquiring Bradley’s rights, but McLeish decided not to and wants to go in a different direction.

The son of US men’s national team coach Bob Bradley joined Aston Villa on loan in the January 2011 transfer window. Unfortunately the 23-year-old American was given very few opportunities to shine for Aston Villa. For one of the most talented players on the US men’s national team, it’s a travesty he wasn’t given more of a chance at Villa Park. Hopefully he’ll bounce back at another club in Europe where he can get the playing time to show the continent how gifted he is.

Bradley has one year remaining on his Borussia Monchengladbach contract.