ON THE MOVE: Clavijo, Spector, Karbassiyoon ...

• by Soccer America , Dec 27, 2004

FERNANDO CLAVIJO takes over as the Colorado Rapids' new head coach, replacing Tim Hankinson, who was let go after the Rapids were eliminated from the 2004 MLS playoffs at the quarterfinal stage. Clavijo, 47, a Uruguayan native who moved to the United States in 1979 and played for USA in the 1994 World Cup, coached the New England Revolution in 2000-2002, compiling a 22-31-13 record before being relieved seven games into the 2002 season, after which replacement Steve Nicol guided the Revs to a runner-up finish. Clavijo coached Haiti in World Cup 2006 qualifying.

Illinois product JONATHAN SPECTOR, 18, is set to join English Premier League club Blackburn on loan from Manchester United, for which the former U.S. U-17 defender played two Premier League, two League Cup and three European Champions League games this season. Blackburn, for which American Brad Friedel plays goalkeeper, signed another central defender, South African Aaron Mokoena, while negotiations with D.C. United's New Zealand central defender Ryan Nelsen have stalled. Blackburn is two points above the relegation zone and has given up 32 goals in 19 games.

Roanoke, Va., product DANIEL KARBASSIYOON, 20, has been loaned from Arsenal to Ipswich Town, which is in first place of England's second-tier league. Karbassiyoon, who joined Arsenal out of high school in 2003, scored on his debut for Arsenal in a League Cup game last October. He played in two more League Cup games for the Gunners before the loan to Ipswich, for which he debuted as an 85th minute sub in Sunday's 3-1 loss to Millwall.

CHASE HILGENBRINCK, 22, a left back who played at Clemson University in 2000-03, has joined Chilean First Division club Hauchipato. Hilgenbrinck graduated from Clemson last May, then spent five months in Concepcion while training with Hauchipato.

ADIN BROWN leaves the New England Revs after three seasons for a three-year deal with Norwegian First Division club Aalesunds FK. Brown, 27, helped the Revs reach the 2002 MLS Cup, which it lost to Los Angeles, but suffered head injuries in 2004 and played only seven games while Matt Reis took the starting role.