Los Angeles Galaxy and United States striker Edson Buddle is on trial at Premier League club Birmingham during the Major League Soccer offseason.
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is searching for a new forward with the central England club two points above the three-team relegation zone after scoring just 17 goals in 17 matches.
The 29-year-old Buddle was the leading scorer in the MLS for most of the 2010 season despite missing more than a month for the World Cup. Buddle ended the regular season as the second-highest scorer with 17 goals in 25 matches.
''He's trained with us this week and he's done fine,'' McLeish said on the club website. ''I'm not sure when he goes back. I think he's here for next week as well because we'd like a longer look at him.
''He's been scoring goals in the MLS and had a good season and he's available.''
Named after Pele - whose full name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento - Buddle has played for the Galaxy since 2007.
''I'm not sure of the facts, but I know it's not going to cost us and arm and a leg if we do (sign him),'' McLeish said. ''Work permits are obviously the stumbling block, but America are in FIFA's top 70 and he's been playing regularly for them.''
Buddle's Galaxy teammate, Landon Donovan, came to England on loan this year, spending January to March at Everton before returning for the MLS season.
However, the Galaxy were frustrated that midfielder David Beckham was injured in March during a second stint on loan at AC Milan.
