Expansion

Report: Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor linked to MLS expansion team

Gabriel Agbonlahor in action for Aston Villa in a friendly at Houston - 9/9/16

Longtime Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor was linked with a move to MLS on Thursday, when the Birmingham Mail reported that the 29-year-old could make a January move to a 2017 expansion team.


Agbonlahor, who still has two years remaining on his contract, is not in Aston Villa’s plans this year. The club, who were relegated from the English Premier League last season, attempted to send him on loan to fellow English Championship side Reading on transfer deadline day, but the veteran attacker rejected the move.


According to the Mail, Agbonlahor is training with Aston Villa’s U-23s as the club attempts to sort out a move.


Minnesota United FC and Atlanta United FC are both set to join MLS in 2017. Neither club would be able to officially add Agbonlahor until the league’s transfer window re-opens in January.   


Agbonlahor has spent his entire career with Aston Villa. He has 74 goals in 341 career EPL appearances for the club and has three career caps with the English national team.