The veteran American defender is now a free agent, and may be immediately acquired by MLS clubs.
Oguchi Onyewu has left Sporting Lisbon by mutual consent, the club’s official website reports.
In an official statement Sporting said, “Sporting SAD would like to take this opportunity to thank Oguchi Onyewu for his excellent season in 2011/12 and for serving Sporting Clube de Portugal with the up-most professionalism. The Club wishes the player all the best for future.”
Onyewu signed for Sporting in the summer of 2011 from Dutch side FC Twente. The towering centre-back went on to make 16 league appearances, scoring four goals along the way.
In the final minutes of last summer’s transfer window, Onyewu was acquired on loan by Malaga CF of La Liga. However, he only made two league appearances all season.
Returning to Sporting this summer, it was made apparent that he was not in the team’s plans, with centre-backs Marcos Rojo and Mauricio starting the opening two games of the season in defence.
As Onyewu is now a free agent, he is eligible for acquisition by any MLS club who should desire his services.
At 31 years of age Onyewu still undoubtedly has the ability to perform at the highest level. Whilst the former USMNT vice-captain may have been left out of Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad for his side’s next two World Cup qualifiers, a new home and regular football could yet see the player on the flight to Brazil.
