Update: Goodson Signs with IK Start

In a follow-up to a story we brought you last week, former FC Dallas defender and San Jose expansion draftee Clarence Goodson has indeed decided to continue his playing career overseas, first revealed in a single line crammed into an unrelated Earthquakes press release.The MNT Blog caught up to the 25-year-old, as he is currently in camp with the Men's National Team ahead of this Saturday's friendly against Sweden, allowing Goodson to shed some light on his impending move to IK Start.

"It was a great opportunity that came up," said Goodson. "I felt it was the right situation and the right time in my career to move overseas. It's everyone's dream to play in Europe, and certainly it has been mine.

"I'm looking forward to Norway. I think it is going to be a good transition. I know there are a lot of people that speak English, so that will help. I'm looking forward to it."

For those of you who are not familiar with IK Start, let me fill you in...

IK Start, or Idrettsklubben Start, is located in Kristiansand, a town of 77,000 located near the southernmost tip of Norway. Founded in 1905, the club plays their home games at Sor Arena (capacity: 14,300). Following a disappointing 13th-place finish in the 2007 season, they were relegated out of the Tippeligaen and into the second-tier Adeccoligaen.

Goodson's new club has experienced some success in their history, however, being crowned Norwegian champions in 1978 and 1980. Because of a runner-up finish in 2005, Start participated in UEFA CUP, advancing through two qualifying rounds before being eliminated by Ajax in the opening round of the tournament proper.