Maurice Edu off to Glasgow Rangers

As reported in an article by the New York Times, it appears that Maurice Edu from Toronto F.C. and also recently on the U.S. Olympic team, is going to be transferred to Glasgow Rangers, possibly to replace Carlos Cueller who recently was sold to Aston Villa. Even I have to admit that this is a great move for Edu as Rangers are a very big club within the Scottish Premier League and even in the context of Europe (despite their recent setback of getting knocked out of the Champions League).

Rangers will give Edu every chance to replace Cueller if they choose to play him in defense, even though he has been a midfielder for Toronto F.C. Either way they will give him a chance to play in front of a passionate and massive crowd each week at Ibrox Stadium alongside fellow American DeMarcus Beasley. Rangers have shown a genuine interest in American players in recent years, having also signed Claudio Reyna a few years ago as well.

The bottom line about my feelings regarding American players in Europe is that these are the types of moves that they should be making. Signing for big clubs where they will be given opportunities to play with and against top players. Scotland's Premier League isn't a big league in Europe, but Rangers generally do qualify for at least one of the European competitions (they did reach the final of the UEFA Cup last season), and this will provide Edu an opportunity to grow as a player that he wouldn't get in MLS.