Bradley Set For Bigger Stage?

US midfielder Michael Bradley who currently plays his club football for SC Heerenveen in Holland has recently had his name tossed around by two clubs that most would consider a step up for the Princeton, New Jersey native.

English Premier League side Middlesbrough and Hamburger SV of the Bundesliga have apparently expressed interest in Bradley, who tied for the lead in scoring for Heerenveen last season with 15 league goals.

According to Goal.com sources in Holland, Bradley will most likely be staying with Heerenveen as they consider the 21-year old to be an important player in their first team plans for the upcoming season, where they hope to improve on their 5th place finish from last year. A free scoring team that ranked 2nd in goals scored would surely miss Bradley’s impressive contributions and it’s obvious they would like to keep the talented player around.

Middlesbrough, whose interest in the player was thought to have waned may be back in the running after their attempts to sign James Harper from Reading have stalled. Attacking options will be vital at the Riverside if Liverpool decide to renew their pursuit of arguably their best player, winger Stuart Downing. Downing’s shoes would be large ones to fill, but Bradley could be an adequate replacement for the England international.

Before playing in Holland, Bradley played for the NY/NJ Metrostars, now the Red Bulls where he became the youngest MLS player ever to be sold when he joined Heerenveen for an undisclosed fee in 2006. Bradley has made 55 appearances since joining Heerenveen and has netted 15 goals.

-- Goal.com