Minnesota’s first goalkeeper in MLS, John Alvbåge, is slated to return to his parent club of IFK Göteborg in Sweden after his loan expires on July 23. He has been struggling with a finger injury and will remain in the United States after his contract ends to have screws removed from an operation and to recover.
Alvbåge joined Minnesota United in January as the veteran goalkeeper who would help inaugurate the MLS era. However, the early season’s defensive debacle and an injury launched Bobby Shuttleworth into the net after two matches.
The Swedish keeper returned again in a 2-2 draw with Houston when he was subbed in for an injured Shuttleworth, keeping a clean sheet for the half. However, Shuttleworth’s reemergence and the fact that Alvbåge takes up an international spot meant that a loan extension for Alvbåge was very unlikely.
FiftyFive.One has confirmed that Göteborg expects Alvbåge to return to their club at the beginning of August, when his finger has had time to recover. According to one source, the Swedish club is upset that Alvbåge is returning injured before a full recovery.
Minnesota United’s Scandinavian outfit appears as if it is slowly being dismantled as Vadim Demidov, the initial team captain and highest paid player, has been told he is to leave the club imminently.
It is unclear if Demidov will be transferred or released, but one source indicated that it is very unlikely that the team simply pays off his contract. It may be that the Loons pay part of his wages as he transfers to a new club, as they did with Tiago Calvano in his move to Harrisburg City Islanders earlier this year.
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