Aston Villa have confirmed that Brad Guzan has joined Middlesbrough, with the American goalkeeper signing a two-year-deal with Aitor Karanka’s side.
Since the arrival of Italian goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini earlier this month, Guzan’s departure has been expected with Mark Bunn preferred ahead of him as Villa’s back-up goalkeeper.
Guzan, who joined Villa in the summer of 2008 from Chivas USA, made 171 appearances during his time in B6.
He only became Villa’s first choice goalkeeper in 2012 after Shay Given was dropped, but has struggled for form over the past 18 months and shared goalkeeping responsibilities with Mark Bunn last season, with Villa conceding 76 goals during a miserable campaign.
He is expected to be behind Victor Valdes in the pecking order at Middlesbrough, after the former Barcelona goalkeeper moved to Teesside earlier this summer.
Guzan’s departure is the first major outgoing of Di Matteo’s reign, with Idrissa Gueye expected to complete his move to Everton in the coming days.
