Oguchi Onyewu will become the first U.S. player to ply his trade in Italy’s Serie A since Alexi Lalas in the mid-1990s. AC Milan today announced it had signed Onyewu to a three-year contract, in the process outbidding at least half a dozen clubs, including storied sides Ajax Amsterdam, Paris Saint Germain and (most recently) Real Madrid.

Long the bedrock of the U.S. Men’s National Team’s central defense, Oguchi Onyewu’s club career appears ready to enter a new phase. Or does it? While no fewer than half a dozen teams are reportedly bidding for Onyewu’s services, the 27-year old is now saying he will not close the door to a return to Standard Liege, where he has been under (a now expired) contract since 2004.

Standard Liege and U.S. men’s national team defender Oguchi Onyewu could join French side Olympique Marseille in the January transfer window, reports No Short Corners.

German media reports have promoted Bundesliga side FC Cologne in pursuit of Standard Liege and USMNT defender Oguchi Onyewu. Other rumors have Gooch going back to the Premiership, to Fulham.