The long rumored transfer of Jozy Altidore to Europe is, for the most part done. MLS gets a $10 million transfer fee, which could jump to $12 million if he meets incentives.
Villareal finished second in La Liga last year on 77 points, eight behind league Champions Real Madrid but a comfortable 10 points above third place Barcelona. With a Champions League slot in hand for Villareal, Altidore could see playing time at the highest levels of the game, although it is expected that Altidore will be loaned out for the first part of the 2008/2009 season, but I am not sure to whom.
The 18 year old striker has been off his form of late in the MLS. He has appared this year with the U.S. U20 team, the U23 team, and the senior team as well. Altidore is almost assuredly to be on the U.S. Olympic team and will play some role in the U.S. World Cup qualifying, but how much remains a question.
The MLS gets a big paycheck for Altidore, but this still begs the question, is the MLS simply going to be a feeder league for the European club system? If so, for how long?
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