03 July 2007

Szetela gaining attention

Clifton native Danny Szetela is back on the radars of European clubs and has helped his cause after scoring the U.S. Under-20 national team's lone goal in its 1-1 tie against South Korea on Saturday.

Italian club Parma, Scottish club Glasgow Rangers and Turkish club Galatasaray have made contact with Szetela's representatives and the Columbus Crew midfielder looks like a safe bet to sign a pre-contract at some point this summer.

Szetela is in the final year of his current MLS contract and has been free to negotiate with other teams as of July 1. One team that hasn't been in contact yet is English club Everton, which came close to signing Szetela before he signed with MLS in 2004.

"If he has another two games like his first game then he's gone," one source close to Szetela said on Monday. "He had a good first game and teams are definitely interested."

Szetela and the U.S. Under-20 national team will face Poland today in Under-20 World Cup action. Source - north jersey.com

15 July 2007

Rangers are lining up a shock move for American youngster Danny Szetela. Szetela’s agents claim they are in discussions with Walter Smith’s side.

But Rangers will face stiff competition for the Columbus Crew midfielder from Italian giants Parma and Turkish outfit Galatasaray.

Szetela, 20, is in the final year of his Major League Soccer contract and was free to talk to clubs from July 1.

Cash-strapped Rangers are hoping to take advantage of his contract situation and snap him up for nothing.
Szetela was the youngest-ever player to pull on a Crew jersey at just 17.

Rangers would be able to top any contract offer his current club can offer. Source - Sunday Mail

26 July 2007

Rangers have again been linked with American midfielder Danny Szetela. The 20-year-old shone at the Under-20 World Cup this summer and is out of contract at MLS side Columbus Crew at the end of the year.

Szetela has a Polish passport and can move to any EU club without work permit problems.

Siena, Parma, Everton and Middlesbrough have all been linked but his agent, Shep Messing, said: "The most ardent pursuers of Danny are Rangers. We are expecting firm offers this week." Source - EveningTimes

27 July 2007

Columbus Crew midfielder Danny Szetela craves a second chance with Everton but appears more likely to be heading for Italian football.

The USA Under-20 international rejected a move to Goodison as a 16-year-old.

Agent Shep Messing told BBC Sport: "Everton are probably his preferred destination, while Middlesbrough and Reading are also interested.

"But there's more interest from Serie A and we're closer to doing something in Italy, possibly in the next two weeks."

Lazio, Parma, Roma and Siena have all been in touch about a player who would be available for a small compensation fee of about £25,000 as his contract ends in December.

He could yet remain in the MLS with Columbus, but the 20-year-old's Polish parentage means an EU passport would ease his passage across the Atlantic.

Szetela returned to action after almost a year out through injury to score three times in five games for the USA in this summer's Under-20 World Cup in Canada.

"The UK would be his preference should he leave the US because of the English language," said Messing.

"So Rangers would be good, but I have heard nothing from them.

"He had the chance to go to Everton when he was 16, but he felt he was too young to leave his family and decided on the MLS.

"However, he was impressed by the club and the people there." Source - BBC Sport