AMSTERDAM – The New England Revolution are well into talks with free-agent defender Zak Whitbread, MLSsoccer.com has learned.

Whitbread's agent, Kevin Moran, informed MLSsoccer.com that the negotiations could turn one way or the other some time next week. The Houston-born, Liverpool-raised former US Under-20 international has never played in MLS, but could make his debut this season if the Revs are successful in landing him to fill a need in the heart of defense.

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Though injuries have often derailed his career, Whitbread's résumé includes 18 Premier League games, 79 in the Championship and eight in FA Cup play. Last week, English reports suggested Championship side Sheffield Wednesday had made an offer, but Moran told MLSsoccer.com this was an inaccurate claim.

The Revolution were interested in another US youth international earlier this summer, Will Packwood, but that signing never materialized.