After reports that a deal was off, officials for the Scottish Premier League defending champion Rangers announced today an agreement to acquire American international Alejandro Bedoya, pending successful completion of a U.K. work permit.
Bedoya was an after-thought on the U.S. men’s national team until a Benny Feilhaber injury gave him a spot on the Gold Cup roster. The Boston College graduate made the most of the chance, playing well in the midfield in the final rounds of the tournament and earning praise from coaches and the media. The midfielder currently plays for Orebro in Sweeden’s top flight league.
The transfer would be completed in January, as the Swedish league is a spring to fall league, but is far from a done deal as Brian Straus notes. Due to his lack of international playing time and strict British work permit laws, Rangers will have to petition the government and the league for an exemption.
The move is a great one for Bedoya, who is really beginning to blossom professionally. If he clears procedural hurdles, he will move to a team that has a spot for him at right midfield and will be paired with fellow American international Maurice Edu. And while the Swedish Allsvenskan is a decent league, signing with Rangers could allow him to play in the UEFA Champions League if they advance during the fall.
After an impressive Gold Cup run, Bedoya’s stock is rising. If he can succeed at Rangers, and there’s little reason to doubt he won’t, then he could quickly catapult himself into the Holden/M. Bradley realm of reliable and good-to-great American midfielders.
What do you think? Good move for Bedoya?
