
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, July 22, 1994                   TAG: 9407220131
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHICAGO                                LENGTH: Short

REYNA HEADED TO GERMAN CLUB

Former University of Virginia star Claudio Reyna, the youngest player on the U.S. World Cup team, was scheduled to leave for Germany on Thursday to sign with Bayer Leverkusen of that country's first division.

A U.S. soccer official said the basics to the deal had been agreed to Saturday. Reyna, a midfielder, will join Thomas Dooley, who last agreed to a two-year contract with Bayer Leverkusen in June.

Reyna, 21, has two goals in 17 appearances for the U.S. team. But he missed the World Cup after tearing his right hamstring in practice on June 8.

Reyna started all three games for the United States at the 1992 Olympics and was the U.S. college player of the year in 1992 and 1993, when Virginia won consecutive NCAA championships.

Karl Heinz, a spokesman for Bayer Leverkusen, said Thursday he had no comment, but the U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said a handshake agreement had been reached.

Reyna also was considering an offer from Barcelona, which has won four consecutive Spanish League titles. But Reyna decided he would have trouble getting playing time for such a large club.

by CNB