U.S. National Team defender Danny Califf agreed to an FC Midtjylland contract buyout on Tuesday, which Soccer365 has learned will pave way for a Major League Soccer return that will see him join expansion outfit Philadelphia Union.

by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

U.S. National Team defender Danny Califf agreed to an FC Midtjylland contract buyout on Tuesday, which Soccer365 has learned will pave way for a Major League Soccer return that will see him join expansion outfit Philadelphia Union.

By virtue of having last played for the earlier incarnation of the San Jose Earthquakes in 2005, the 29-year old's MLS rights have remained with the Houston Dynamo, but a source told S365 that a deal is in place for Philly to acquire them.

Califf's official departure from FCM must wait until January 1st, but the source estimated that the center back would reach agreement on MLS terms next week. The California native opted to exit from the Wolves pack with two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract.

"The writing was on the wall, basically," Califf told S365 of his motivation to leave MCH Arena.

"They wanted to move in a different direction and wanted to play a certain way that was definitely not suited to the things that I bring to the team. It was just a matter of time, to be honest."

With World Cup 2010 just around the corner, Califf admits readily that the fight for a place on Bob Bradley's 23-man tourney squad increased in urgency to find a new club.

"That's a huge deal," he stated. "I want to do everything I can to put myself where it's possible for Bob to look my way. At Midtjylland, that was not happening."

Though unable to discuss team specifics at this time, Califf divulged that talks with MLS are happily appoaching the signing stage.

"It's pretty far along," he said. "We're basically just waiting on formalities with regards to my contract."

"With regards to the U.S. National Team, it's the best decision for me to get the playing time and getting exposure and being in front of Bob every week."

Califf says he has been keeping tabs on MLS from afar and that he doesn't expect any problems getting back into the flow back home.

"I follow it over the internet and I've been to a couple games when I've been back," he offered. "Four years is a decent amount of time, but it's not long enough to say the league has taken a big leapfrog in level."

The former University of Maryland star will look back fondly on his time in the Danish top flight, even if the very end wasn't so pleasant. Before joining FC Midtjylland as a free agent prior to the 2008 season, Califf spent two-and-a-half enjoyable years with Aalborg BK.

"I think it was fantastic," he said of his time in Denmark. "I grew up a ton as a player and as a person."

At the top of his Danish memories list is the 2007 SAS Liga title won as Aalborg's skipper.

"That was something that took a full year to achieve, and the fact that I was the captain and the leader of the team was absolutely amazing," declared Califf. "Winning the championship with Aalborg was one of the pinnacles of my career."

As for the possibility of hopping back across the pond to play his soccer somewhere down the line, he says that door will remain open.

"That was the first goal when it really looked dismal from my perspective at Midtjylland," revealed Califf. "I would have loved to stay in Europe a couple more years and go from there."

"But when you're not playing and you're American, it's difficult to get a whole lot of teams excited about you in the situation you want to be in - where you want to live, where your family wants to live most importantly, where you're going to be happy."

"Things weren't the greatest, and I think that MLS is the best choice for me," he concluded. "But, of course, if there were ever a chance to move to Europe in a good situation, it would be pretty awesome."

Soccer365 reporter Greg Seltzer blogs daily over at No Short Corners.

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