(Sports Network) - Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan, Major League Soccer's reigning goalkeeper of the year, is headed to English Premier League side Aston Villa - pending receipt of a British work permit - after the two clubs reached an agreement on a transfer fee, the Goats officially announced on Saturday. Guzan, Chivas USA's first ever draft pick in 2005, had been a target of both Celtic in Scotland and Aston Villa during the European winter transfer period, but was not granted a work permit hours before the window closed, nixing a move to Europe in January.

Since then, Guzan has gone 6-5-4 with a 1.33 goals against average with Chivas USA while appearing in five of eight U.S. national team games, increasing his chances of earning a work permit this time around.

Chivas USA and Villa reportedly agreed on a roughly $1.5 million transfer fee for the 23-year-old.

In other transfer news, Chivas USA is close to reaching a deal with Mexican forward Roberto Nurse. The 24-year-old has played with Mexican First Division sides Queretaro and Atlante in his career, scoring a goal in 11 starts in Mexico's top flight.

The 5-9, 154-pound forward has been training with the club for the past three weeks and will add another strong attacking option to the Chivas USA stable of forwards that already includes Ante Razov, Atiba Harris and Maykel Galindo, among others.



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