Euan Holden Settles in Denmark

From the Northeast to the Southwest of the U.S., to Denmark, to England, and back to Denmark, Euan Holden’s journey to professional soccer has taken him across the expanse of the globe.

Euan, the younger brother of U.S. national team winger Stuart Holden, began his collegiate career at the University of Connecticut under Ray Reid. After his first two years, Holden transferred to the University of New Mexico to be closer to his father, who was battling cancer. 

"I decided I needed a change," Holden told Goal.com. "My father was battling cancer back in Houston, and my gut decision was to make a change. In the end I turned down an offer from Maryland to pursue a new challenge at New Mexico, which also allowed me to be closer to my father."

At New Mexico, Holden got off to a slow start, featuring in only nine games his junior year due to injury and sickness. This last fall though, Holden played in every match for the Lobos. After the season, Holden headed to Europe where he had some trials in England and Denmark set up. 

"When headed to England in December and January all of the plans I had got canceled due to the [Big Freeze] and I ended up heading to Denmark sooner then planned. After a successful trial with Vejle, I returned back to England where I was only able to train with an English team for two days before returning back to Denmark to sign," the 22-year-old remarked.

During his time in Europe, Holden was drafted by the Houston Dynamo in the fourth round of the MLS SuperDraft. Holden, who had trained with the Dynamo in the summer of 2009 prior to his senior year at New Mexico, was tempted by the offer to return home, but ultimately decided against going to preseason with the Dynamo. Houston only invited him to training camp as is customary with players who are not signed by the league prior to the draft. Without an actual contract on offer yet with the Dynamo, Holden decided to go the safe route and sign in Europe.

Holden explained, "There was no contract offered by the Dynamo, as being drafted by a team in the MLS is only an invitation to preseason/training camp unless you are a Generation Adidas player or signed by the league before the draft. With an offer already on the table from Vejle and the possibility of MLS having a lockout, I felt my best option was Vejle BK."

Vejle, which was relegated from the Danish first division last year is chasing a promotion spot, sits eight points back. The club also recently built a new stadium and is currently building new training grounds.  

The manager, Mats Gren, was a former Swedish international, and plans to use Holden both as a left back and a left midfielder when the season resumes in March. 

"I hope I can play a big part in gaining promotion for next season," Holden said. "With a loss of one or two players, I hope to be playing a big part in the team by the time the season resumes in March."