Interest In Kljestan Growing

Nearly a dozen European teams have Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan on their radar, according to a report out of England that lists SPL giants Celtic as the latest club to throw their hat into the ring. Along with the Hoops, interest in the U.S. international is peaking with the following clubs:

- AS Monaco (Monaco)
- SC Heerenveen (Netherlands)
- FC Twente (Netherlands)
- Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
- FC Schalke 04 (Germany)
- Wolfsburg (Germany)
- Olympiacos (Greece)
- Zenit St. Petersburg (Russia)

Kljestan, 23, has been capped 11 times with the senior US Men’s National Team, and also featured on the U-23 squad that participated in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. He spoke of his desire to play in Europe in an LA Times article earlier this summer:

“I’ve been working hard every day to make it to that level,” said Kljestan. “I want to be in Europe soon; I would really enjoy Spain or Italy or Germany. I think those three are not only top-flight leagues with some great teams but also fit my style of play. I feel like in Spain my technical ability would help a lot. In Germany, there are some really good players and it’s a really strong league from top to bottom, so that’s cool. Italy is obviously a very strong league as well.”

Taken fifth in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft, Kljestan has been one of the driving forces behind the transition of Chivas USA from one of the worst teams in the league to a perennial postseason contender. He has made 79 appearances over the past three seasons, scoring 9 goals and dishing out 27 assists over that span. The southern California native was also named to MLS Best XI this past season and was selected as a starter for the 2008 MLS All-Star Game, but missed the match while with the U-23 squad at the Olympics.

* photo courtesy ISI Photos