EJ returns to MLS on Thursday

[EPJr]

American forward Eddie Johnson returning to Major League Soccer

The 27-year-old returns after three-and-a-half years in Europe and he will be allocated to a club on Thursday.

U.S. international striker Eddie Johnson is on his way back home.

Major League Soccer announced it had signed the 27-year-old on Tuesday. He will be allocated to a team on Thursday, with Chivas USA currently sitting atop the league's allocation order. If Chivas passes, Houston, Toronto and then Chicago will have the next cracks at him.

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/...o-major-league

[EPJr]

Eddie Johnson-to-MLS deal falls through

Former US international and MLS striker reneges on verbal agreement and ends negotiations

NEW YORK -- On Tuesday, it appeared that former US international Eddie Johnson was on his way back to MLS; however, the league has revealed that the deal has fallen through.

“We had reached agreement, subject to formal documents,” MLS Executive Vice President of Competition and Player Relations Todd Durbin told MLSsoccer.com on Wednesday. "It’s unfortunate the player did not want to conclude a formal agreement, but we wish him well in his future endeavors."

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...-falls-through

[EPJr]

Puebla Move Off
Report: Ex-US international not in good enough shape to join Beasley & Co.


GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Eddie Johnson will not be playing for Mexican Primera División side Puebla after all, according to reports in the Mexican press on Monday. The reason? He's not fit enough.

“He arrived under the condition that we would take a look at the player, as he hadn't played for a long time,” Puebla spokesperson Hugo Fernández is quoted as saying in various media outlets, including Televisa. "He didn't pass the test in three training sessions … and he's not staying."

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...bla-reportedly

[EPJr]

Former US striker Johnson
inks new deal with MLS


It’s taken four long years and multiple stops in Europe, but former US national team striker Eddie Johnson is finally returning to MLS.

The league announced on Thursday that it had agreed to a contract with the 27-year-old veteran. Johnson will go into the league allocation process, and his new club will be determined on Friday.

Johnson attracted numerous suitors during his free agency, and seemed to have come to an agreement with MLS in mid-August. But he pulled out of a deal at the last minute, opting once again to test his luck elsewhere.

That led to a brief spell with Puebla in the Mexican Primera this winter, but Johnson left La Franja without having suited up for the team.

As per MLS policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...s-new-deal-mls