AMSTERDAM – Recently informed by Southampton that his contract will not be renewed, US Under-23 netminder Cody Cropper is now in advanced discussions with Championship risers Bristol City.
A source close to the situation informed MLSsoccer.com that the 22-year-old has other English suitors, but the promoted Robins have moved the fastest. At this time, Cropper is not speaking with any clubs in Major League Soccer.
Cropper started for the US at the 2013 U-20 World Cup and has been Andreas Herzog's No. 1 goalkeeper for the US U-23 national team, which will enter Olympic qualifying this fall.
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The Georgia native never made a first team appearance with Southampton, who finished seventh in the recently-completed Premier League season. Cropper posted nine shutouts in 24 career league outings with the Saints U-21s, including four clean sheets in seven starts this past term.
Having recently won the League One crown, Bristol manager Steve Cotteril is looking for someone to compete against incumbent starter Frank Fielding for next season's No. 1 job. The only other netminder under contract with the Robins for next season is Welsh youngster Dave Richards.
