:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52184225/613267300.0.jpeg)
A young American keeper is close to a transfer.
According to several reports, Ethan Horvath will be joining Club Brugge during the next transfer window:
I can confirm reports that #usmnt goalkeeper Ethan Horvath is close to completing a transfer from Molde to Club Brugge
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) December 7, 2016
The 21-year old goalkeeper has made one senior national team appearance, but is generally considered to be the future number one. He was included in the 23-man roster for the Copa America Centenario, and was referred to as one of the “biggest hopes for the future” by former head coach and technical director Jurgen Klinsmann.
Horvath joined Norwegian Tippeligaen club Molde in 2013. He earned the starting job in 2015, and has held it through two seasons. The Colorado native led his club out of its group in the 2015-2016 Europa League, before falling to champions Sevilla in the knockout stages.
Brugge would be a big jump for the young keeper. The Blauw-Zwart finished in first place last season in the Belgian Pro League and earned a spot in the group stage of the Champions League.
Brugge’s current starter is 33-year old Frenchman Ludovic Butelle, who is under contract through the 2018 season. One imagines that if Horvath is able to acclimate quickly and put in a few years of solid performances, then the next jump will be to one of the big four leagues.