USMNT Watch: Gedion Zelalem Now a US Citizen; Mix Diskerud Still out of Contract

Most of the action for Americans playing abroad this week came from news off the field, as it was announced that Arsenal starlet Gedion Zelalem has become a U.S. citizen, while men's national team midfielder Mix Diskerud continues his search for a new club.

Also off the field were contract extensions for defenders Eric Lichaj and Oguchi Onyewu, as well as the revelation that goalkeeper Tim Howard is set for an extended period of time on the sidelines due to his recent calf injury.

Read about all the action in this week's USMNT Watch.

The English Premier League Boys

The big news this week was the announcement that Arsenal youngster Gedion Zelalem has become an American citizen.

While the 17-year-old has yet to make a single league appearance for the Gunners, he did play 44 minutes in Arsenal's Champions League win over Galatasaray in December.

The news was quickly followed up by messages from U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati and USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann on Twitter.

Zelalem made the bench for Arsenal this weekend, but he did not play in their 2-0 win over Hull City in the FA Cup.

Goal.com's Ives Galarcep reported this week that Tim Howard's calf injury will keep him out for four to six weeks. Without Howard, Everton lost 2-0 to Hull in league action on Thursday.

Jozy Altidore was not in the 18 as Sunderland took on Leeds in the FA Cup.

Geoff Cameron played 76 minutes in the midfield for Stoke as they beat Wrexham 3-1 in the FA Cup.

Shay Given was given a rare start over Brad Guzan for Aston Villa in their 1-0 win over Blackpool in cup action.

Ze Germans

The Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 are on winter break until the end of January.

In the English Championship

Eric Lichaj signed a two-and-a-half-year contract extension with Nottingham Forest this week. On Saturday, Lichaj played 90 minutes in Forest's 1-0 loss to Rochdale in FA Cup action.

Tim Ream went the distance in Bolton's 1-0 FA Cup win over Wigan.

Danny Williams played 90 minutes in Reading's 1-0 FA Cup win over Huddersfield.

Oguchi Onyewu signed a contract extension with Charlton this week, per Roderick MacNeil of The Near Post. Onyewu was not a part of the squad this weekend after suffering a hamstring injury earlier in the week.

Both Jonathan Spector and Will Packwood are out injured for Birmingham and did not play this weekend.

Emerson Hyndman was not in the squad for Fulham.

Elsewhere in Europe

The big news outside of Germany and England this week was about Mix Diskerud.

On Monday, it was reported that Diskerud and Rosenborg had officially parted ways as talks over a new contract had broken down.

But on Tuesday, MLSsoccer.com's Greg Seltzer reported that talks with the Norwegian club were still ongoing, and that Diskerud had narrowed his choices to four—believed to be Rosenborg, Liga MX side Tijuana, a destination in Qatar or Major League Soccer.

Alejandro Bedoya played 54 minutes in Nantes' 4-0 win over Club Franciscain in Coupe de France action.

The rest of the European leagues are still on winter break.

South of the Border

Liga MX and its contingent of American players are still on winter break. Action resumes Jan. 10.

Follow me on Twitter at @JohnDHalloran and at Facebook.com/AmericanTouchline.