Gascoigne agrees to tryout at D.C.

CHANTILLY, Virginia (AP) -- Paul Gascoigne, the flamboyant English soccer star and a 1990 World Cup star, will audition for D.C. United.

The 35-year-old midfielder arrives Wednesday and joins United on Friday. He's expected to stay with the team at least a few days.

"A player like him, you don't need a tryout," spokesman Boris Flores said. "But the coach wants to see how his fitness is, and whether it's a good fit for him and a good fit for our team."

Gascoigne, known as "Gazza," led England to the 1990 World Cup semifinals. But he injured his knee in a reckless tackle in the 1991 FA Cup final.

Injuries and personal problems, which made for popular fodder among the English tabloids, have plagued Gascoigne since. He bounced from team to team and most recently played for Burnley, an English first-division club.

Gascoigne has been linked to a move to the U.S. after failing to secure a deal to stay with Burnley.

If Gascoigne does sign, it would be for the remainder of the season and possibly for 2003.

"He will train with them on Friday, watch them on Saturday and train again on Monday and Tuesday before making a decision on Wednesday," Gascoigne's agent Ian Elliot told the BBC. "He's always wanted to play in the States and it's a standard of football he will be comfortable in."

United would have to make moves to clear room for the 35-year-old on the roster and under the league's salary cap.

"When a serious talent like Paul Gascoigne becomes available, you give it serious consideration," United coach Ray Hudson, who like Gascoigne hails from Newcastle, told the Washington Times.

United has auditioned many international players this season in hopes of reviving a struggling offense. Paul Dalglish, son of Scottish soccer legend Kenny Dalglish, had an impressive workout earlier this season, but team officials were unable work out a contract under MLS' tight salary cap.

United announced Monday that the club had acquired 19-year-old El Salvadoran forward Eliseo Quintanilla

 

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Reuters contributed to this report.