AMSTERDAM—Erstwhile Colorado Rapids defender Shane O'Neill has moved for the second time in a month, officially joining Jupiler Pro League side Royal Mouscron-Péruwelz from Apollon Limassol on Monday afternoon.
The United States Under-23 international, currently in Manchester to prepare for Thursday's friendly against England in nearby Preston, quickly jetted into Belgium on Sunday to sign a two-year contract. O'Neill did not make an appearance for Cypriot bronze medalists Limassol, who had only lured him from MLS on Aug. 1.
The Stade Le Canonnier outfit currently stands bottom of the Jupiler League through six rounds, having allowed a next-to-worst total of 12 goals. While O'Neill can operate in either central defense or defensive midfield, new boss Čedomir Janevski intends to use the American on the backline.
"We contacted him as a defender, and that is the area where we have a real need," RMP press officer Nicolas Cornu told MLSsoccer.com.
According to the club, O'Neill could be released after Thursday’s friendly to begin training with his new professional teammates, but US U-23 press officer Jon Oliveiro told MLSsoccer.com on Monday evening that the player was still slated to remain with the team for next Tuesday's tilt with Qatar in Bury, England.
Mouscron-Péruwelz will return to league action with a September 11 visit from high-scoring Club Brugge.
