Erik Palmer-Brown joins FC Porto on loan

U.S. Soccer Residency Program graduate and Sporting Kansas City defender, Erik Palmer-Brown, is headed to Portgual to join FC Porto on loan, the MLS club announced on Monday. The much-talked about prospect has drawn transfer interest for the better part of two years from clubs as big as Juventus.

Now that the youngster has turned 18 years old he's able to head to Europe. He'll join one of the top clubs in Portugal for a year-long loan stint.

"We feel this is a good move for both Erik and the club," Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes said. "Over the years, we have formed a good relationship with Porto and we see this as a great opportunity to further Erik's development as a player and person."

Palmer-Brown was a member of the USA team that competed in last year's U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. He was one of the youngest players on that squad and appeared in one match during the tournament.

The scouts have always been high on him as a player, Juventus being interested in acquiring him a few years ago confirms that he has talent. However, we've never been able to see enough of him for an extended period of time to see if he's really worth all the talk. Now is his chance to prove the experts right.