Stoke City high on 'U-S-Shea'
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Feb 1, 2013
[AMERICANS ABROAD] Brek Shea began the week as usual, continuing his recovery from surgery to remove a bone in his foot
and training with FC Dallas on Monday morning. By Thursday, the final day of the January transfer window, the 22-year-old midfielder was greeted to chants of "U-S-Shea" as he left training at English
club Stoke City. The Potters reported the transfer fee to be 2.6 pounds ($4 million), tying it for fourth among the highest estimated fees an MLS club has paid for an American.
"Brek is a
very, very exciting player, and one who we believe could go on to become a very good player for Stoke," said Stoke manager Tony Pulis.
Pulis
traveled to London Thursday to help clear the final hurdle: Shea's work permit appeal.
Shea had already passed a medical exam with the Potters, but the deal was contingent on Shea winning
the appeal of his work permit application.
He had not played in 75 percent of the USA's international games over the past two seasons, but Stoke's attorneys argued mitigating
circumstances: the broken sesamoid bone, which had plagued him most of last year and was surgically removed in November.
"It's fantastic news that we have been able to push through the
deal," Pulis said. "He has terrific pace, a very good left foot and he is capable of scoring goals. If you look at the clippings of him on the Internet then you will see what he is all about. I
believe he has all the tools needed to be a success here."
Highest MLS Transfer Fees (Americans)
| PLAYER | TRANSFER FEE | FROM | TO | YEAR |
| 1. Jozy Altidore | $10 million | New York Red Bulls | Villarreal | 2008 |
| 2. Eddie Johnson | $6 million | Kansas City Wizards | Fulham | 2008 |
| 3. Maurice Edu | $5 million | Toronto FC | Rangers | 2008 |
| 4. Brek Shea | $4 million | FC Dallas | Stoke City | 2013 |
| 4. Clint Dempsey | $4 million | New England Revolution | Fulham | 2006 |
| 6. Tim Howard | $3.6 million | MetroStars | Man. United | 2003 |
| 7. Tim Ream | $2.75 million | New York Red Bulls | Bolton Wanderers | 2012 |
| 8. Geoff Cameron | $2.7 million | Houston Dynamo | Stoke City | 2012 |
| 9. DaMarcus Beasley | $2.5 million | Chicago Fire | PSV | 2004 |
| 10. Freddy Adu | $2 million | Real Salt Lake | Benfica | 2007 |
Note: All fees are estimates
based on reports at the time of the transfer.
Let's see what consistency Shea brings to the table.
Fantastic for Shea! The best thing that happened to this American. It is crucial that our young Americans get into the Pro game at 16+...yes, there are exceptions, however and for the most part in the US 90 days of College soccer simply isn't enough time to develop aside of the studying time. When each MLS side has full-time young professionals we will see an increase of "Yanks" going abroad for these types of fees$$$...next problem...keeping them in MLS...the game is progressing in a Professional direction as compared with the rest of the world. Bravo to Shea!
I'm surprised no one in commenting on this fantastic news! Come on Ridge...put in your 2 cents...but be nice!:)
Please advise as to who receives what share of the transfer amount ($4 million in this case) when an MLS player signs with another club. Thanks.
Frank...The 3/4 of the Transfer Fee in this case went to Dallas...the rest to the MLS. "Transfers" occur in Leagues around the world from amateur all the way up to Premier or First Divisions. FYI, when a Professional Club (1st, 2nd, or 3rd Division Club) eyes a 14-15-16 year old or from a lower professional league, they compensate the Club with a decent amount. This is how "smaller" clubs survive...by developing starting at the age of about "6..." Smaller clubs stay in business this way...develop, sell. Unfortunately, this does not occur in the United States. When commerce or "transfer fees" begin to occur, we will see the "pay to play" model slowly diminish which will take a massive financial strain of our youth clubs. By the youth game professionalizing, a proper and global Promotion/Relegation system in place the standard of the American player and game will most definitely improve. Look at the American transfers today!