Crewe Alex: American dream for Baudet

by Gwyn Griffiths

JULIEN Baudet says the prospect of an "exciting" lifestyle change convinced him to seize the opportunity of Major League Soccer with Colorado Rapids.

The 30-year-old will have to wait until the US transfer window re-opens in July to play for the first time for his new club.

He has signed a two-year contract with the Rapids, who are based in downtown Denver, near to the breath-taking scenery of the Rocky Mountains.

"The lifestyle is one of the main reasons I am going because I know what I am leaving behind," admitted the defender.

"English people live for football and I am not sure whether there is the same atmosphere at games over in America.

"But the prospect of my family experiencing something so different was one of the reasons to go, although not the only one."

The Rapids, who currently lie third in the Western Conference after seven games, are coached by former Port Vale winger Steve Guppy and ex-Fulham player Gary Smith. They also include former Manchester City and Sheffield Wednesday winger Terry Cooke in their ranks.

"The season has started and Colorado are third in the League and they've gone through two rounds of the cup," addedoutlined Baudet.

"But it is still early days and there are a lot of games to play this season. I've been able to watch some of their recent ones on the internet. I am looking forward to getting started."

Baudet made 129 appearances for the Alex after joining from Notts County in 2006.

He served as club captain for the past two seasons, but was ruled out when relegation to League Two was confirmed with defeat against Leicester on May 2.

He added: "Crewe will have less money in League Two, but I hope for the sake of the players, fans and manager they bounce straight back up.," he added.

"It will be hard though, as I know from playing down there that it is a tough division."