Carlos Bocanegra, MLS's Rookie of the Year in 2000, has reached a deal with English Premier League club Fulham and has been granted a British work permit.
Bocanegra, 24, left UCLA after his junior year and has played the past four seasons with the Chicago Fire, twice earning MLS Defender of the Year honors. He has made 20 appearances for the U.S. national team, scoring four goals.
Fulham, the former club of midfielder Eddie Lewis, is currently in seventh place.
''MLS has been a huge part of my development as a player,'' Bocanegra said. ''I couldn't have achieved the level of success with the U.S. National team without my years with the Chicago Fire. I'm going to miss my teammates.''
Bocanegra's MLS contract expired after the 2003 season, during which he helped the Fire to a runner-up finish.