U.S National Team goalkeeper Zack Steffen has been signed by MLS side Colorado Rapids. He joins the club on a 3-year deal with a provision to extend for a fourth.

While it is reported that Steffen will not take a designated roster spot, he is expected to assume the role of a starter in the side straightaway.

Steffen's last involvement in the sport came when he was on loan to Championship side Middlesbrough, where he was a key figure in their run to the Championship playoffs. He has not played in the ongoing European calendar after undergoing surgery for a knee injury, scuppering any chance of a loan spell away from his parent club.

The 28-year-old was signed by Man City in 2019 from MLS side Columbus Crew in a fee that was reported to be close to $7 million. However, in his 5-year spell with the reigning Premier League champions, he managed just 11 appearances in total, 2 of those in the Premier League, 2 in the Champions League and 7 in the Carabao Cup.

He has been around the continent in a series of loan spells, with time at German side Fortuna Dusseldorf and Middlesbrough being the most prominent ones. In all, he's made 84 appearances in the clubs that he's played for on loan.

The arrival of Steffen signifies a change in the footballing structure of the Rapids, who finished the 2023 MLS season as the basement dweller of the Western Conference. They have made a raft of changes in the side starting with the appointment of Chris Armas, who was the assistant manager to former Man United interim manager Ralf Rangnick.

Apart from the coaching change, they have also parted ways with key members of the old guard which include Jack Price, Diego Rubio, Andrew Gutman, and Danny Wilson.

Rapids will hope that Steffen will repay the faith that has been shown by them by way of quality performances between the sticks, while Steffen will finally get a chance to be the bonafide Number 1 option on a permanent basis after a spell in the wilderness.

It could be a win-win for everyone involved.