Sources: Union Winger Danny Cruz Set for European Loan
By Kevin Kinkead
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Union midfielder Danny Cruz is off to Scandinavia, sources tell CBS Philadelphia.
The 25-year-old will reportedly be sent on a season-long loan to Norwegian first division team FK Bodø/Glimt.
The club is coached by Jan Halvor Halvorsen, who has connections to the United States. Halvorsen served as an assistant to Hans Backe at the New York Red Bulls from 2011 to 2012. He took the job at Bodø/Glimt in 2013 and won promotion to the top flight during his first season in charge.
Pennsylvania native and former MLS player Zarek Valentin is also on the roster, having joined the club permanently last season after playing on-loan from Montreal in 2013.
The move essentially frees up more than $100,000 in cap space for the Union and allows Cruz to fight for a starting spot at his new club.
Cruz came into the season as the Union's third-choice winger, but suffered a preseason hamstring injury and has not featured in the club's first two matches.
He was one of two players representing the Union in recent labor talks with Major League Soccer.
Cruz joined Philadelphia in 2012 in the trade that sent Lionard Pajoy to D.C. United. He's played 70 games for the Union, scoring seven goals and adding five assists.
