The great American goalkeeper has been a staple of the Premier League for over 20 years but it is now a thing of the past. And who knows when to return.

Tim Howard's move to the Colorado Rapids and the relegation of Brad Guzan's Aston Villa signals the end of a golden era that began with Juergen Sommer's fateful stint with QPR in 1995-96.

When one thinks of the greatest ever keepers in Premier League history, three US internationals - Howard, Brad Friedel and Kasey Keller - are names that roll off the tongue.

Marcus Hahnemann and Guzan (last season aside) also made impressive contributions while honourable mentions must be given to Sommer and Ian Feuer.

It is hard to underestimate the role American keepers have played in Premier League history.

Indeed, during some weekends in the 2007-08 season, four were starting members of their teams: Howard (Everton), Friedel (Blackburn Rovers), Keller (Fulham) and Hahnemann (Reading).

At the 2010 League Cup final, Friedel started for Aston Villa while Guzan was on the bench for the Midlanders in the 2-1 defeat by Manchester United.