Sounders designated player Clint Dempsey’s temporary return to the English Premier League’s Fulham FC grew closer with word Friday that he is having a physical exam prior to a pending loan for January and February, part of his preparation for the World Cup in Brazil in June.
The London club where he spent nearly six years needs the help of their all-time leading EPL scorer to avoid relegation.
René Meulensteen has confirmed that @clint_dempsey is close to sealing a return to #FFC. http://t.co/FErCDeYlbV pic.twitter.com/Dy7p7JhCyk
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 20, 2013
“He’s having a medical and we’re looking into that,” head coach René Meulensteen told reporters in London, via mlssoccer.com. “It would be a real boost for us. Hopefully that will all work out.”
Dempsey is expected to play eight games to attempt to help Fulham out of the bottom three clubs that face relegation. He played nine games (six starts) with the Sounders, who failed to find an effective way to mix in his talent and lost nine of their final 10 matches.
“Clint spent so many years playing in the Premier League and we all know where his strengths are,” Meulensteen said. “He can come in from the left, or play as a second striker, depending on who you’re playing against. It speaks volumes for him that he wants to come back here. Initially it’s for January and February.”
Dempsey, captain of the U.S. Men’s National Team, has quietly been urged to stay sharp against top-flight competition by U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who was reportedly concerned that Dempsey might lose his edge playing in MLS.
