Maurice Edu’s Move to Rangers More Than Just Another Transfer

Maurice Edu has made the most important move of his career. Edu received a work permit to play for Glasgow Rangers in the Scottish Premier League this season and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

His move to Rangers will pay more dividends than one can imagine. The initial reaction of, “He gets to play in Europe with the best of ‘em”, although vital, isn’t the most important aspect of his transfer.

His opportunity to play at this high of a level for this extended period of time will be the most complimentary to his improvement.

Think about it.

He just played in the Olympics against talented youngsters from Japan, The Netherlands, and Nigeria. The Nigerians, in the Olympic Finals against Argentina tonight, looked completely beatable even though playing 11 on 10 against the United States. (Thanks you very much Michael Orozco)

After the Olympic Games, Edu traveled to Guatemala and played 20 minutes of a World Cup Qualifier in an extremely tough setting against some of the dirtiest players on the planet today (insert four or five names from the Guat. Starting XI).

Follow that with a move to Scotland where Football is nearly the national language. The Rangers’ current squad is currently slim to none due to a rash of injuries to the all important midfield. Edu should see significant playing time alongside one of his compatriots.

Damarcus Beasley also suits up for Rangers. His mentoring Edu will be the most important task to developing, in my opinion, a player with an upside in the top three of the United States current young players (Altidore and Adu being the other two). Too many times has an American youngster made the trip across the pond only to struggle with self-confidence and little playing time (see Landon Donovan when he went to Germany).

Beasley, who has seen his share of the European scene with PSV Eindhoven and Man City before the Rangers, has arguably adapted the best to his time overseas. Who better for Edu to be with than the man with the most success in a foreign country?

As mentioned before, Rangers’ current squad has been hit hard lately with the injury bug, most notable being their captain and center midfielder Barry Ferguson. Although Edu will not receive the captain’s armband, starting at center mid is very feasible.

Even if Rangers’ manager doesn’t give Edu a shot at such a demanding position as center mid, center back is not out of the question. Edu showed he was the United States’ most talented, capable, and confident defender in the Olympics. His confidence on the ball is something never before seen from an American back line player, and quite refreshing.

Whether hanging with Beasley, new teammates, or tutoring under Manager Walter Smith, Edu is in position to learn the ins and outs of a much faster, more physical game than MLS currently has to offer. Who can complain with that? Certainly not Maurice, and I know it won't be coming from his supporters on this side of the Atlantic.