American Exports: Free agent AJ Soares on trial with Norwegian club Viking during preseason camp in Spain

A.J. Soares of the New England Revolution wins a header

AMSTERDAM – Free agent defender AJ Soares will begin a trial with Tippeligaen side Viking on Saturday.


The out-of-contract New England Revolution defender had spent this week staying fit by working out under countrymanBob Bradley with Viking's Norwegian top-flight rivals Stabæk. Soares has now joined VFK's preseason camp in Spain, where they have one last friendly with another league foe, Vålerenga.


"He will train with the team tomorrow," Viking press officer Ole J. Askeland told MLSsoccer.com on Friday. "He might play [in the friendly] on Sunday."



Soares, who scored in his lone friendly appearance for Stabæk this week, arrives fitting just the right bill for the Dark Blues. 


"The team is looking for a right center back," said Askeland.


Aiming to atone for last season's 10th-place finish, Viking will begin the new season by visiting Rhett Bernstein and promoted Mjøndalen on April 6.