BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) -Goalkeeper Brad Guzan's transfer to Aston Villa fell through Thursday when his application for a work permit was turned down.
Guzan, a 23-year-old goalkeeper, who has played four times for the United States, was to move from Major League Soccer club Chivas USA.
"We've very disappointed with the outcome as we were really looking forward to Brad joining us but unfortunately it wasn't meant to be," Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill said.
Guzan is scheduled to rejoin the U.S. national team training camp this weekend in Carson, Calif., ahead of next Wednesday's exhibition game against Mexico in Houston.
"Although we share in his disappointment at the denial of his British work permit, we know that Brad, like the true professional he is, will continue to work hard to improve every day on and off the field with Chivas USA," Chivas USA coach Preki Radosavljevic said.
American goalkeepers Tim Howard (Everton), Brad Friedel (Blackburn) and Marcus Hahnemann (Reading) start in the Premier League.
