MILAN — United States defender Oguchi Onyewu has joined AC Milan on a three-year contract the club said today.

Milan acquired Onyewu from Standard Liege in Belgium after some outstanding performances in the United States' run to the Confederations Cup final. The U.S. lost 3-2 to Brazil in the final.

Financial details of the transfer were not disclosed. Onyewu also holds a Belgian passport and he will likely be registered by Milan as an EU player.

U.S. players have been few in Serie A.

American defender Alexi Lalas played for Padova from 1994-96. Giuseppe Rossi, the son of Italian parents who was born in New Jersey, played for Parma and joined the Italian national team.

The 27-year-old Onyewu was born in Washington D.C. after his parents emigrated to the United States from Nigeria. He helped Standard Liege to two consecutive Belgian league titles.