Coming to America

Gascoigne would relish anonymity, says D.C. coach

Englishman Paul Gascoigne could be a big boost for struggling D.C. United. Gary M. Prior/Getty Images

LONDON (AP) -- Former England star Paul Gascoigne will relish being an unknown if he decides to sign with American Major League Soccer side D.C. United, the team's coach Ray Hudson said Wednesday.

Gascoigne, 35, was due to fly to Washington on Wednesday to train with the side and look around the local area.

Hudson, a fellow a native of Gascoigne's hometown Newcastle, said "Gazza" would benefit from being an unknown in America.

"He sounds very, very enthusiastic about it," Hudson told the BBC.

"He's very eager to get back to enjoying his football and also get away from the tabloid hysteria as best he can.

"The impression I got is he wants to move on with his life in several areas, and he really wants to enjoy the game again.

"He's seen the way we play here in the United States, he was impressed with our World Cup performance, and he's hoping to really be able to enjoy the last few years of his career."

Hudson compared Gascoigne's situation to that of former Manchester United and Northern Ireland great George Best, who headed to America in the 1970s.

"By and large Paul Gascoigne is a completely unknown commodity here," Hudson said.

"I've been trying to explain to people Gazza's notoriety and his fame is probably three or four times as big as somebody like Michael Jordan is over here, and they find that incredible.

"He'll be pretty much totally anonymous in the DC area and he'll be able to blend in as a complete unknown.

"George Best went through the same thing here and enjoyed that privacy and lack of notoriety."

Gascoigne's agent Ian Elliott said the midfielder was keen to try playing in America if the deal was right.

"I just think it is a natural progression for him to take," Elliott said.

"He's always said he wanted to play there. He may get there and decide it's not for him or he may get there and they may decide he's not for them. But the move does appeal to Paul."

Gascoigne led England to the 1990 World Cup semifinals and was on the verge of a becoming one of the all-time great international players when 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 affected Gascoigne since.

He bounced from team to team and most recently played for division one club Burnley.

 

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