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Wondolowski does not often make headlines during soccer’s winter transfer window, despite his remarkable performances for the San Jose Earthquakes, but inevitably his name will pop up in some capacity. Leading up to this week, reports have linked Wondolowski with Denmark’s Odense BK. Today, another report had the two-time MLS scoring leader as a candidate for the striker job at fellow Danish Superliga club AGF Aarhus.
While the various reports have lacked little in terms of substance, it cannot be denied that Wondolowski deserves more attention for his exploits in MLS. The 29-year old forward is hitting his prime as a goal scorer and is a big reason the Earthquakes have enjoyed as much success as they have been able to muster over the last two seasons. During the 2011 winter transfer window, Wondolowski himself admitted that he was courted by Dutch club Feyenoord, but declined the opportunity after signing a new four year contract to remain with the Earthquakes.
In addition to garnering interest by teams overseas, Wondolowski’s achievements have not gone unnoticed by U.S. Soccer. He made his National Team debut last January against Chile in a friendly, and then played three matches for the U.S. in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. After capping off another excellent MLS season, Wondolowski currently attending the annual January U.S. Men’s National Team camp under head coach Jürgen Klinsmann.
To make a move overseas might seem unusual for a player that is nearing his 30th birthday, but it wouldn’t be the first time in recent memory. Following his MLS Golden Boot runner-up finish in 2010, Los Angeles Galaxy forward Edson Buddle made the jump to German second division club Ingolstadt 04. A life-long product of MLS like Wondolowski, Buddle has enjoyed a reasonably successful stint in Europe.
If Wondolowski is going to make a move overseas, this might be the point in his career where he’d be able to maximize his value. However, with his value to MLS and the San Jose Earthquakes also at an all time high, a transfer of Wondolowski seems highly unlikely.
(Thanks to @briansciaretta for the tip)