BOCA RATON, FL (June 12, 2008) - Former Schulz Academy and New York Red Bulls young forward Jozy Altidore is headed for Villarreal CF, with the Spanish first division club agreeing to a transfer deal with Major League Soccer for the teenage forward.  Villarreal, which finished runner-up to champion Real Madrid in Spain's La Liga this season, has been looking for reinforcements to play next season in the European Champions League, in which it reached the semifinals in 2006.  Altidore, praised by many as the United States' best soccer prospect, has always had his eye set on Europe and now he is finally on his way.

Villarreal CF "The Yellow Submarine" unveils Josmer Altidore before the European Press and hundreds of delighted fans on June 10, 2008

Villarreal has agreed to pay a transfer fee reportedly close to $10 million for the former New York Red Bulls player, nearly twice as much the previous record for an American and more than the previous high for anyone from Major League Soccer.

The previous highest fee for an American was when Sunderland bought Claudio Reyna for $5.7 million in 2001, and Fulham paid $4 million for Clint Demspey after the 2006 MLS season.

If you are reading it here then you know it is truly official and confirmed.  Not only did Josmer's transfer earn MLS a record $10 Million, but Josmer, who passed his physical with flying colors, is on the verge of signing a record blockbuster contract will Villarreal CF, the details of which Schulz will not reveal in order to protect young Josmer.  Said Schulz, "Let's just say that after this one contract, the Adidas commercial endorsements, and the EA Sports FIFA 08 Soccer deal that put Josmer on the cover with Ronaldinho and sold over 70 Million games, it is safe to say that Josmer and his family are financially set for life and Josmer can now simply focus on his soccer." 

News flashed around the globe as Josmer's record transfer deal was announced. The story was picked up by every sports station.

“For me it is only the next step for Josmer, although he signed a long term contract with the Spanish Club. I am sure after the World Cup 2010 one of the big clubs will ask for his services. I think for Villarreal the $10 Million transfer fee was a bargain, because after the World Cup they will get 3 times more for him,“ speculates Dr. Josef Schulz, president of the Schulz Academy, for whom Josmer played for more than 8 years.

While playing for Schulz Academy, Josmer Altidore helped the club to win a record of 3 National Titles in the Super Y League.

“From the beginning I knew Josmer is something special, and therefore I was very careful with my instructions because I felt he can solve problems on the field better than I could explain. I only interfered when he constantly needed help with certain things”.

“I think he’s been huge” Altidore said of Schulz. “He really taught me the basics of the game. He taught me the little things that I use now that make me a different player in the MLS. He is a wonderful trainer. He knows so much about the game. He can make you a really better player”.

Altidore returned to visit the Academy last December, something he admitted he doesn’t do enough.

“I don’t stop by as much as I should when I’m down there” Josmer said. “I’m going to make more of an effort to do that in the future. Not only does Josef and the Academy deserve it….but I want to give something back and help the players of the Academy to get where I am”.

“I really enjoyed the time when Jozy came to our practices during the last winter break. We talked about all the stories of the last years, and we had a lot of fun remembering them“, continues Josef Schulz.