Onyewu joins AC Milan

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

Seven times European Champions 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