Defender Geoff Cameron is the latest American player to join an English Premier League team. He’s been granted a UK work permit via the appeals process and thus is cleared to playfor Stoke City, which purchased his rights from MLS for a reported $2.5 million last month.
Testimonials from USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann and Houston Dynamo coachDominic Kinnear were submitted during the appeal process because he doesn’t qualify under the benchmark of playing enough competitive matches (75 percent) during the last two years.He last played for the Dynamo July 15, and two weeks ago flew to England and began training while waiting out the appeal. He has five caps for the USA.
“It’s surreal becauseit’s been a dream of mine since I was a little kid,” Cameron told MLSsoccer.com. “I think I ended my career with the Dynamo with a pretty good game. I thought that was one of my bestgames of the season against D.C. United and now I want to go abroad and try the UK and get that experience and test my ability.”
Cameron, a midfielder in college, was selected byHouston in the third round of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft and quickly showed his skill and versatility. Kinnear tested him out as a centerback and eventually moved him there permanently, though he saysCoach Tony Pulis may give him a a shot at his former position. “They want to try me at center back and center mid as well,” Cameron said.