US defender Oguchi Onyewu joins AC Milan after strong Confederations Cup

US defender Onyewu joins AC Milan

MILAN — United States defender Oguchi Onyewu has joined AC Milan on a three-year contract the club said Tuesday, becoming the first American to join Serie A in more than 10 years.

Milan acquired Onyewu from Standard Liege in Belgium after some outstanding performances in the United States’ run to the Confederations Cup final. The U.S. lost 3-2 to Brazil in the final.

Financial details of the transfer were not disclosed. Onyewu also holds a Belgian passport and he will likely be registered by Milan as an EU player.

The last American to play in Serie A was Alexi Lalas, who played for Padova from 1994-96.

The 27-year-old Onyewu was born in Washington D.C. after his parents emigrated to the United States from Nigeria and helped Standard Liege to two consecutive Belgian league titles.