AMSTERDAM — Austria's Rapid Vienna have completed their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund II forward Terrence Boyd, pending a weekend medical exam.
The 21-year-old Bremen, Germany, native, currently busy on US national team duty, will travel to Austria to ink a three-year deal following Tuesday's World Cup qualifier in Guatemala City. Boyd was also sought by a handful of clubs in the top two divisions in Germany, but he will now do his business in the Austrian Bundesliga instead.
"The contract will be for three years, until 2015," Rapid press officer Peter Klinglmüller told MLSsoccer.com. "He will come to Vienna on Friday. [After he signs] the head coach will send him some days on vacation because he had a long season and now is with the US team."
Upon return from his break, Boyd will join the Austrian runners-up, who scouted the player based on a tip from former Rapid hero and USMNT assistant coach Andreas Herzog. Manager Peter Schöttel has a relatively young strike force, led last season by Atdhe Nuhiu's eight goals.
"We watched him play several games at Borussia Dortmund II, and of course, we also had the opinion of Andreas Herzog," Schöttel told the club website. "Boyd is still not finished, but has a very large potential."
The 32-time Austrian champions have a solid history of developing attackers, with Mainz 05 playmaker Andreas Ivanschitz and Everton striker Nikica Jelavic recent examples. Rapid also formerly employed the D.C. United pair of Branko Boskovic and Hamdi Salihi, as well as Chivas USA defender Ante Jazic.
After participating in the Europa League third qualifying round draw on July 20, Rapid Vienna will begin the new league season.
