The MLS season is over, so what to do for the winter? An increasing number of American players are deciding that the English Premier League - or at least its training grounds - is the place to spend the offseason.

With the MLS season running from March to November, the players get a winter break. Many choose to spend some of that time overseas. While the word trial is commonly thrown around, in most instances, the player's management usually sets nothing more than a simple training session with no move imminent. It's also a chance for a club to scout a player up close without sending people all over the world.

Here's a look at where some of these players are training in England and Europe this offseason:

Brek Shea, midfielder, FC Dallas, Arsenal

One of the three finalists for league MVP, Shea's breakout season caught the eye of new U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann. The former German international arranged for Shea to train at Arsenal after a pair of international friendlies in Europe with the U.S. squad, and he's been working out in London ever since.

The 21-year-old is perhaps the hottest prospect the U.S. team has to offer at the moment, and after a standout year could be on the move sooner rather than later. And Arsene Wenger has an eye for a bargain - and an overseas goalscorer with a bad blond haircut.

.

Tim Ream, defender, New York Red Bulls, WBA & Bolton

Ream, a promising young center back who battled through inconsistency in 2011, is on his way for training stints with West Brom and Bolton. While a permanent move seems like a stretch – Red Bulls are relying on him to be back next year, and getting a work permit is far from a certain thing – the stint will hopefully toughen him up and improve his marking, which let him down last year.

Juan Agudelo, forward, New York Red Bulls, Liverpool

Since the end of New York's season, Agudelo has spent most of his time in Europe, first for a U.S. Under 23 camp in Germany, before a training session with VfB Stuttgart. He wrapped that up this week, and is beginning another stint with Liverpool, which recently signed U.S. youth international Marc Pelosi, and is, of course, now owned by Americans.

The 19-year-old played intermittently this year alongside Thierry Henry, scoring six goals, including this delightful effort against D.C. United:

.

Andy Najar, midfielder, D.C. United, Spurs

A precocious talent, Najar is an immigrant from Honduras who stormed into the league after signing with D.C. United at the start of 2010. His pace and technical ability are among the best in the league for players of his age, and he's spent the past week training with Spurs with the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon, players who know a thing or two about excelling on the wing.

Omar Salgado, forward, Vancouver Whitecaps, Fulham

Playing time was scarce for the U.S. youth international during Vancouver's debut season in MLS. Starting just five games (with 14 appearances), the 18-year-old is still a raw prospect. His training stint wraps up on Sunday at Fulham, where he trained alongside U.S. international Clint Dempsey the past few weeks – and according to his Facebook page, went over to Dempsey's house for Thanksgiving last week.

Bill Hamid, goalkeeper, D.C. United, WBA

Hamid, a starter at D.C. at the precocious age of 20, got the jump on the rest of his peers, traveling to West Brom for a little more than a week's training time prior to the U.S. friendly against France in Paris. Hamid has yet to make his U.S. debut, but Klinsmann has made it clear he sees Hamid as his No. 2 goalkeeper for the time being. The youngster is also in line to return to the UK next summer if the U.S. qualifies for the Olympic tournament.

Via his Twitter account, Hamid had a great view of West Brom's 3-0 loss against Arsenal at the Emirates on November 5.

Teal Bunbury, forward, Sporting KC, Bolton

Reports indicate that this forward is joining to train under manager Owen Coyle for a two-week training stint in early December. A physically imposing forward with good speed, Bunbury had an up-and-down second year in MLS with Sporting KC.

This won't be his first time training in England, as he spent last offseason with Stoke City.

Sean Johnson, goalkeeper, Chicago Fire, Everton

Like Hamid, Johnson is another young 'keeper who got a lot of playing time this year, and is also likely to contend for a spot on the U.S. Olympic qualifying roster. An exceptional athlete with good size, Johnson's stint in Everton serves a dual role. He'll get to train alongside U.S. first choice goalkeeper Tim Howard, and with Chris Woods, Everton's goalkeeper coach who holds the same role with the U.S. national team.

Zac MacMath, goalkeeper, Philadelphia Union, Everton

Another promising goalkeeper, but a shade younger than Hamid and Johnson, MacMath primarily serves as the backup in Philadelphia. He'll also be training alongside Johnson, working with Howard and Woods.

Jeff Larentowicz, midfielder, Colorado Rapids, Bolton

A tough and tenacious defensive midfielder, Larentowicz is a long time veteran of MLS and a member of the 2010 MLS Cup-winning Rapids. He's another who has linked up with Owen Coyle's side, and this is perhaps one training stint that could actually be more of a trial – although there would be a work permit issue to overcome.

Exploring the continent

The UK isn't the only destination for MLS players during the offseason. With Klinsmann's ties in Germany lending a hand, several standouts were training with Bundesliga clubs, including Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman (Kaiserslautern), D.C. United's Perry Kitchen (SC Freiburg) and the Philadelphia Union's Amobi Okugo (SC Freiburg) and Zach Pfeffer (1899 Hoffenheim).

You can follow The Guardian's MLS coverage via our Twitter feed or our new Facebook page.