Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Gone to Denmark

Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst has walked away from New England and Major League Soccer as the out-of-contract former Defender of the Year joined Danish side Nordsjaelland on a free transfer.

The move is a good one for the 24-year-old as he was primed for a move abroad. For MLS, it's a blow but likely just one of several other moves that will see players head across the pond in the coming months.

Not sure if MLS can really do anything to stop this. Typically these are four-year deals players are completing before moving abroad. Players wouldn't be too wise or well-advised if they signed anything longer than four years, at least players at the beginning of their careers. For players like Brad Guzan a year ago, the league has an even more difficult choice. Guzan had drawn interest from abroad and was entering the last year of his deal. Re-signing was not the best option since salaries abroad are greater than they are here. So with the possibility of a free transfer highly likely at the end of the year, it's better for the league to cut their losses with the player and try to maximize their finances while they can. Getting something for a player is better than getting nothing.

Which is what Parkhurst ultimately netted MLS - nothing.

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