U.S. ABROAD: Berhalter joins Munich 1860

• by Soccer America , May 30, 2006

World Cup-bound American defender Gregg Berhalter captained Energie Cottbus to First Division promotion earlier this month but he'll stay in the Second Division, having transferred to 13th place finisher Munich 1860.

Berhalter moved on a free transfer to the team he scored on in the 3-1 season finale win that clinched promotion for Cottbus, for which Berhalter played four seasons, the first in the First Division and the last three at the second tier.

Berhalter, 32, signed a two-year contract. He played 111 games (23 in the First Division) and scored 9 goals for Cottbus.

''We're convinced that the addition of Gregg Berhalter represents a significant improvement for our defense,'' said Munich 1860 general manager Stefan Reuter.

Berhalter has spent his entire pro career abroad, in the Netherlands (FC Zwolle, Sparta Rotterdam & Cambuur Leeuwarden) and England (Crystal Palace) before moving to Germany.