Well Milan was a Dutch team before and now is a Brazillian team inter was Argentinean team and now it will become a Portuguese team

I know... it just sucks that for us, every transfer target is Brazilian! Mediaset is reporting that Perez intends to sell Huntelaar, Sneijder and Drenthe. why not sign Huntelaar instead of Fabiano? (I personally am convinced we will sign Fabiano in the end, because he's Brazilian). or Sneijder instead of Hernanes... I know we haven't signed them yet. but it looks more likely that we will sign them rather than Huntelaar and Sneijder.

http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n...history_state0=

AC Milan have signed American international centre-back Oguchi Onyewu on a free transfer and until June 30, 2012. He played for Standard Liege last season.

Source : http://transfermarketweb.com/?action=read&idsel=38861

God, what are these signings? they're strange...

It's official...
http://www.acmilan.com/NewsDetail_popup.as...201&progr=1

does anybody know anything about him like if he is good or not?

Well Berlescuni like the Brazellian tactics and he want milan to be Brazil of Europe ....

''does anybody know anything about him like if he is good or not?''

I watch him during the recent Confederations Cup, he was awsome i mean like the WALL in defence, and guy is striving at defence, i think he had match of carier against Spain (they won 2:0) Villa and Torres were funny LOL

He's a very good signing , he is a machine !!

Really surprised to see him end up at milan

plus he has a belgian passport too

He's good Defender he played with USA National team in Confederation Cup and what makes it good deal that it's FREE transfer

Good strong player. Good in the air. But not too tactically astute. Either Thiago/Onyewu could partner Nesta. But neither can lead the line on their own is my opinon.

@zd: Besides the Brazillian fetish, the thing was Leonardo in his interview stated he'd prefer Fabiano over Huntelaar, because Huntelaar is more of an 'in-the-area' striker. I guess in his reasoning, with Pippo, Huntelaar, Paloschi and Beretta we have too much of the same thing. But surely there are other people who can play prima punta and yet not be a box striker.

I think that's the reason why Huntelaar is being delayed. We don't want him except on loan coz Leo doesn't consider him a priority.

Good Point ... we need striker like pato materiel good handling and tactics

Anyone else see the acmilan.com news. The team page has been updated, and provides some interesting insights.

For instance: Luca Antonini has been moved to mid-fielder. Di Gennaro is a forward etc.

And my points on Leo looks to have been an error. Since Leo doesn't seem to say he prefers Fabiano, but sounds like it. If you get my drift.

My biggest worry...



This could make all the difference between a title and dirt. Part of me wants to think that's why the cash hasn't been splashed. We need to know if Nesta will be there or not. If he isn't, screw the attacker we need a new CB and he'll be expensive.

Otherwise that money can go into buying the attacker.

Last Match between milan and viola,Nesta played well and i think that he really want to lead the defense but milan should buy new CB and buy a replacement for Yanku and the defense should do well:

i think this would be better
bonera--thiago silva- onyewu-zambarotta

Real Madrid Won't Offer Milan & Manchester United Discounts For Huntelaar

Milan and Manchester United will have to meet Real Madrid's price demands in order to have a chance of landing Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, according to FIFA agent and transfer market expert Vincenzo Morabito.

With the Rossoneri and United both hot on Huntelaar's heels, Goal.com caught up with the transfer guru for more insight into the striker's possible movements. Morabito is close to all the major movers and shakers in the transfer world as well as being the player's Italian representative, and he has exclusively revealed that Los Merengues will not offer any discounts for the highly-rated hitman.

"If Milan or other clubs want Huntelaar they will have to pay what Real Madrid are asking for," Morabito told Goal.com.

"They player is wanted by many clubs, it's just a question of price at the moment.

"Real Madrid will not be offering cheap prices to anyone as Florentino Perez has instructed Jorge Valdano not to let players leave for less than what they want for them. Those who are keen know the prices."

Reports around the English media claim United are ready to make their move, despite having signed Michael Owen. In any case, Morabito believes such a move is possible.

"Manchester United? Maybe, why not? But I repeat, Real Madrid have set the price and whoever wants Huntelaar has to show up with the right money," concluded the super agent.

It is suggested Real want around €22million (£20m) for their man.

yeah i agree but Bonera dont have the attacking skill .. we need a player who has both defending and attacking skills to replace Yanku

Onyewu on a free? That's a very good deal!

I just hope this does not mean Nesta is again injured and he's his replacement...

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/nati...16-onyewu_x.htm









'Gooch' a big deal for U.S. soccer team


By Kelly Whiteside, USA TODAY


HARTFORD, Conn. — Perhaps when Oguchi Onyewu (pronounced Oh-Gooch-ee Own-YAY-woo) becomes a household name in countries other than Belgium, there will be flashy newspaper headlines which read: "Oh So Good" or "Oh My Goochness!" Right now, the predominant reaction most have upon meeting a 6-4, 210-pound soccer player is: "Oh wow, he's huge."
Oguchi Onyewu, mobbed by teammates and with his index finger extended after a game-winning goal against Honduras.
By Gregory Bull, AP


Which is why most peg him for a middle linebacker instead of a central defender on the U.S. men's national team.

When Onyewu, who plays for the Belgian club, Standard de Liege, arrived in the USA for tonight's World Cup qualifier vs. Trinidad and Tobago, he was stopped going through customs.

"You here to play basketball?" the customs agent asked.

"No, soccer," Onyewu said.

"OK, have a good day," the agent said, still sizing him up.

"He was kinda shocked that it was soccer out of all the sports I could say," says Onyewu of the question he gets nearly every day ("Soccer? Really?") when he comes back to the USA. In Belgium, where he has been immortalized with his very own bobble-head doll, everyone knows his sport.

Truth is, Onyewu is quite literally becoming the next big thing. With just eight appearances for the senior national team, Onyewu, 23, is not only establishing himself as a regular, he's now a strong contender for a starting spot on the backline. Recently, famed club Manchester United expressed interest in acquiring Onyewu as well and last scouted him at the Gold Cup in July. However, his London-based agent Will Sterling says the move is unlikely at this time, and no offer has been tendered. Onyewu is under contract with Standard for the next two years.

"He's got a big future ahead in Europe no doubt," says U.S. captain Claudio Reyna. "And he's going to be a big part of this team not only in the near future but for many years to come." The Oguchi Onyewu file


Position: Defender
Size: 6-4, 210
Age: 23
Hometown: Olney, Md.
College: Clemson, played two seasons, named All-American and nominated for the 2001 Hermann Trophy, soccer's highest honor.
U.S. team: First appearance with the senior team was Oct. 13, 2004, vs. Panama in a World Cup semifinal round qualifier, when he came in as a reserve in the 86th minute. First start was against Jamaica in World Cup qualifier in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 17, 2004; first goal was on July 21, 2005 against Honduras in injury time, and that sent the USA to the Gold Cup final.
Club: Standard Liege (Belgium) ... Began his pro career in 2002 in France with FC Metz, which signed him to a four-year contract ... After being sent on loan to Standard Liege in 2004, it exercised its option on him last October.







His stature also continues to grow with U.S. coach Bruce Arena. "He has a rare combination of great physical qualities with the ability to play tactically, and he's a good one-on-one defender who reads the game very well," Arena says. "We've seen other players with these qualities, and I always said, 'When are we going to get an American player like that?' "

Though the U.S. goalkeepers are tall — Kasey Keller is 6-2 and Tim Howard is 6-3 — most U.S. field players are under 6 feet. Star forward Landon Donovan is 5-8, 148 pounds. Onyewu also has a more chiseled frame.

Since 1916, more than 600 players have suited up for the U.S. national team. Onyewu is believed to be the biggest field player in team history, though two goalkeepers were taller, according to U.S. Soccer.

Against Trinidad and Tobago tonight, Onyewu will be tested against tall, talented forward Stern John, who's 6-1 and plays for England's Coventry City. Midway through World Cup qualifying, the USA (4-1-0) is in second place in its group with 12 points, one point behind Mexico. The USA's only loss in the final round of qualifying came at Mexico's Azteca Stadium in front of 110,000 in March, a game that Onyewu started despite his limited international experience. Though Onyewu committed a few costly mistakes, Arena was impressed how quickly the defender learned from them. Three days later, the USA defeated Guatemala in a qualifier, and Onyewu shined.

"That tells you something about the character of the player," Arena says. "Some players don't recover from those experiences, but he just moved forward. "Gooch has got a real upside to his game, and I'm confident he's going to get there. He's a guy that's going to challenge to be in our first 11 on a consistent basis. But he's a super young man as well."

Soccer was his No. 1 sport

Like most suburban kids, Onyewu, who grew up in Silver Spring and Olney, Md., started playing recreational soccer when he was 5. He played basketball and ran track when he was in grade school, but his interest was always in soccer. He advanced through the Olympic Development Program, made state and regional teams but wasn't selected for a youth national team when he was 15. The next year he tried out again and was selected for the Under 17s team and became part of the USA's original U-17 residency class with Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley and Bobby Convey.

At the 1999 U-17 World Championship, he started all five matches and played every minute as the USA finished fourth. "When I was 16, I was a little bit shorter but had the body frame of DaMarcus," Onyewu says of Beasley, still as skinny as a corner kick flag.

Considering the odds, it's somewhat remarkable that four players from the U.S.'s first residency class are now among the USA's top players. That class of 20 was the first to train year-round and live on campus at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Since then, Donovan's and Beasley's U.S. careers accelerated at a faster pace, as both were standouts on the 2002 World Cup team.

"You could always see Landon was a prodigy when he was 17. Everyone knew he was gifted. When he and DaMarcus were called up to the World Cup, I said, 'Man, I got to get there.' " Onyewu says. He likely will since the USA is virtually assured of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup. If Donovan was always the prodigy, and Beasley was his equally talented running mate, what then was Onyewu? "A work in progress," he says. USA-Trinidad and Tobago








Onyewu was also a standout on the U.S. Under 20 team, where he played in the World Youth Championship in Argentina in 2001, again starting all four matches and playing every minute, which is when he began to get noticed by international scouts. He was also an All-American at Clemson, where he played for two seasons, before he signed with French club FC Metz and then Belgium's Standard Liege.

"Every year I develop a lot. I'm not the same player three years ago, let alone last year to now," Onyewu says. At first, his time in France was difficult, the level of play as well as the culture, but since he's been with Standard Liege, where he's a starter and one of the league's top players, he's become fluent in French and comfortable with life abroad.

What's in a name?

Though he's a celebrity in Belgium, only a U.S. soccer fan would likely even know his name and even fewer can pronounce it.

Actually, Oguchi is the shortened version. His given name is actually "Oguchialu." Since the long and short version seem difficult to pronounce, everyone calls him "Gooch."

"When you look at it, you'd probably get intimidated by it, but it really is pronounced how it spells. Try it right now. Slowly. Don't rush it," he says gently.

Oh-gooch-ee-a-lu.

"If you let it flow in one word, it's easy. People get intimidated because it's not Joe or John," he says.

His brothers' names are Uche and Nonye and his sisters Chi-Chi and Ogechi, so naturally his parents' names are ... Pete and Dorothy.

Actually Pete and Dorothy, who both emigrated from Nigeria in the 1970s and met at Howard University, are the names they chose when they were baptized as Catholics.

"Everyone always says, 'Why are your names so easy and the children's names hard?' " Dorothy says with a laugh.

"All the childrens' names have meanings. Oguchi's means 'God fights for me.' "

No, he's not Joe or John or Pete or Pele for that matter, but Gooch is a catchy name that even Americans can embrace, even if it takes some time to figure out his sport.

Great signing, needed a big strong CB and he's one of the biggest ones I know. He was great in the Confed Cup and hopefully he continues with performances like that.

Free, EU passport. not a bad deal


Weren't we looking for a striker that's good in the air... a target man, that kind of a striker? besides, it can't be said we're not going for Huntelaar because we have a 36yo Inzaghi, an unknown kid named Beretta, and even Paloschi, who is good, but certainly not as good as Huntelaar.

i always new kaka would be sold, i only hoped uncle fester&co would have lined up a capable replacement.
my dream was for milan to have announced the signing of a certain diego from werder bremen 24hrs after d sale of kaka its rather sad seeing diego become a juve' player as i saw him as an instant replacement for the departing kaka. i've seen hernanes play, there's absolutely no reason why milan should go for him , he's the ideal signing in my opinion

I know. I guess the idea is that Huntelaar would cut space for the youngsters or something. I don't know. This was Leo's reasoning. He wanted a more technical non-static player and not a 'tower' (his words).

Alexi Lalas: 'A Brilliant Move' By Milan And Onyewu


When the news of Oguchi Onyewu’s signing with Italian giants AC Milan broke, former US star Alexi Lalas smiled. The only American international to play in Serie A in the modern era, Lalas was pleased to see another compatriot finally get a chance in Italy’s top league - and believes the Rossoneri’s decision to sign Onyewu was very intelligent.

“I think it’s an incredibly smart move by AC Milan,” Lalas told Goal.com. “Defence has obviously been a weakness for Milan and from an economic standpoint it was also obvious that they weren’t going to spend lavishly. So they had to be smart with their money. Onyewu isn’t a big name player, he’s relatively young, he’s inexpensive and as far as I’m concerned he’s as good a centre-back as what they already have.”

'Gooch', as Onyewu is nicknamed, arrives in Milan on a free transfer from Belgian side Standard Liege. The 6’4” centre-half was a big part of the back-to-back championships won by Les Rouches and the side’s run to the knock-out stage of last season’s UEFA Cup. These experiences have been vital to his progress, Lalas says, and were definitely a factor in the signing.

“Regardless of the fact that he’s American, he has proven himself in Europe, albeit at a smaller league,” Lalas said. “Milan have been able to track him and see him play.”

Lalas, who played for Calcio Padova in Serie A from 1994-96, has no advice for Onyewu except to “learn Italian as quickly as possible”. The pressure, Lalas says, will not come from the jersey Onyewu is wearing but the passport he holds.

“Obviously playing at one of the world’s biggest clubs there will be pressure,” Lalas said. “But on the other hand, you’re also playing with very good players. The pressure will be more because he’s an American than the fact that he’s playing at AC Milan.”

But Lalas believes Onyewu has the tools to overcome any of the pressures and succeed in Italy’s top league.

“Most Italian clubs have at least one big forward, an Ibrahimovic, a Iaquinta, or whoever, and I think he’ll match up very well against those big forwards that a lot of these teams have,” Lalas said. “As a matter of fact, I think he’ll gobble them up.”

Good buy !!!! was amazing in Confed !!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32DEjPvYGIE

Im so happy that we finally find WC defender, this guy should wear name HULK LOL. Finally our defence is geting the shape like it was with Stam and Nesta...

Finally some movement!!

And even though he came for free, I think its one of the few good deals we made on a free. Plus he's just the type of defender we've been missing ever since Stam left. Strong physical presence both on the ground and in the air. A LB would now make the defence complete.

The Cissokho thing doesn't seem to want to die down, I think we'll sign him in the end...

So I've been thinking

Since we don't want to spend big money on a forward this season, why not sign Cruz for free and wait to sign Dzeko next summer?

Cruz is one of the few Argentine/Inter players that I actually like and he's a lethal striker that can play the target man role amazingly well. Him, Pato and Dinho upfront I think could be a great combo

i really really hope we sign cissokho and fabiano and if we do i will kiss galliani's bold head

When the US were playing against Italy I totally didn't like him because he was so physical.

But that's probably because he was playing against my team and it was so frustrating to see him beet out Gila and Iaquinta on everything.

He's the perfect player to partner Nesta imo, because one is so physical and Nesta is all about grace, positioning and tactical awerness

Even if we sign those 2 I don't think the team will be complete. We still need one more midfielder, preferably Sneijder or maybe Hernanes, but no way should we pay Sao Paolo 40m for him. Or maybe even Melo who has an Italian passport and although he renewed with Fiorentina they are still willing to sell him for the right price.

i actually thought ac milan were going to sign "gooch" (that's what we call him here) last year.

great signing. this guy is good, big and strong. excellent signing.

i will definitely be getting a new jersey

This must be great for you an actual American that is not Rossi playing for Milan

So you admit he's American..

It's an okay signing, but with all due respect, he's not going to improve the current team. He seems physically superb, but his positioning leaves alot to be desired. Oh well, he's free, worth the gamble, hope he does well.

I never said he wasn't American I always said that he's as much American as he is Italian

That is why I said "An actual American that is not Rossi" who is not 100% American that is why he is playing for Italy at the end of the day

Im with Kurt on this one. A good signing not Great. Is he really only 23? I thought he was older and Im an American. I'd still put him behind Thiago in the pecking order with Nesta obviously as the first choice. I think we need to get rid of Kaladze and bring in either Santacroce Boccheti or Criscito who could also play out on the left. Ideally I woud take Rossi then Huntelaar then Fabiano. Milan is turning into a Briilian team which is a little upsetting because i have always held that Italian core over my father the inter fans head. We need to bring in a good italian midfielder maybe Dessena or Cigarini. I have also heard of Sassuolos Poli a few times and was wondering of someone could shed some light on him.

Unfortunately it seems that lately our transfer policy is: You must not be Italian.


He is older, he's 27.

This is a thing that worries me. And an additional rule can be added as well: you must not play in Serie A.

This is a very good signing, Onyewu, and I wish him luck on his new adventure with us

This move came at just the right time, considering the backfire of the fans just yesterday.

wow that was fast. I heard we were in talks but I guess we had to hurry it up. We beat competition from several teams. Basically all MLS teams were linked with him as well as bordeaux, valencia, lazio, and lots of arab teams.



Let me give you guys some insight on this guy:


Hes 27, turns 28 in may. He is 6ft 4. He plays CB. This guy is would do well with thiago silva more than he would with nesta. He is a similar player to stam and vidic if we were to compare. However, the difference is that this guy is unchallengable in the air. He wins 95% of all headers, which is what we really needed for our team. He is a strong player who rarely lets people get past him but he lacks some pace compared to vidic/stam. That is why he needs to be paired with someone who is faster like thiago silva.


Anyways, this is a stroke of genius. Good signing by Galliani and very fast too. I wonder how much were paying him.


@han

baretta
zigoni
abate
di gennaro
onyewu
Thiago Silva


6 players to our added roster.

Money spent total: 20 million.

I don't think signing Onyewu is really what the fans had in mind...

It's a start, but I'm with you. We lost Kaka' and arguably our greatets player ever in Maldini. Signing an out of contract American International is not quite going to get the fans too excited.

It is a start, I mean I did not expect much to be honest. I certainly did not expect a central defender, but hey he popped out of nowhere with not even the slightest rumor from anywhere.

+1, we gotta start somwhere. We can't be unrealistic and sign fabregas. We sold Kaka not to sign world class players but to balance our books and start from ground 1 and rebuild our team.

Also we must remember Leonardo is not carlo ancelotti. He will get different results out of different players and may use players in unusual places.


Maybe we'll start seeing janku play winger or zambrotta playing winger or pirlo playing AM. Its too early to assume that this team is complete trash and without X number of players were doomed.


We'll sign 7-8 first team players with 3 of great quality. I"m 100% sure of this.


Also another thing we must remember is right now the prices are crazy. As galliani has said the market is closed and he is right. It is litterly closed. Every team wants 30 million for a decent player because madrid can pay it its assumed everyone else can. Lets look at the big transfers so far in the market from teams other than madrid.


Manu= owen (free). Valencia (18 million)
Chelsea= zirkhov (18 million)
Liverpool= Glen (16 million)
Arsenal= Vermalean (13 million)


Barcelon= Kerrison (24 million)
Juve= Diego (24 million)
Inter Diego/motta=(30 million)


As you can see most people have not spent over 20 million on a player unless there extremely valuable. Diego is worldclass so his price tag is justified. Kerrison is similar to Pato and that is his release clause.

Only madrid have been splashing like crazy and because of it everyone is held tight. Transfers were happening at a much faster rate last year than this year if I recall, especially by big teams. Everyone right now is signing who they can and waiting for the prices to go down, therefore we as milan are doing the same.


Don't lose faith guys, its July 7th. We have another month and 23 days left before the market closes.

Breaking News: Milan have entered talks with young Brazillian foreward Neymar, it is reported that milan are offering 8 million euros for the 17 year old.

LOL @ neymar attempt. It will cost at minimum 25 million euros if we want him. Maybe there offering something else along with this joke of an attempt who knows. All in all if he comes then we will have one of the scariest attacking line ups in the world. This guy= pato.

On Nesta: I'll wait until the season is over and he's played 30+ league games before I believe he's back to full fitness.

i think milan fans will be very please with gooch's signing.

we haven't had a defender like him since Stam. this guy is big enough to play on any NFL team in America.

what he lacks in pace he makes up with strength and height. he is also pretty decent at headers. i can't wait to see him in a milan jersey!