Not long ago, an American signing for a European club was a novelty - cue the photo shoots with the player holding a soccer ball in a cowboy outfit with Old Glory flying in the background.

Alexi Lalas made headlines in 1994 as the first American to play in Europe's then-dominant league Serie A, but a fitful season and relegation near-miss at struggling Padova was hardly the stuff of legend.

The passing years have garnered more respect for the products of Major League Soccer and US colleges. American players have now gone as far as the last four of the Champions League and suited up for storied Euro-giants like Ajax, Benfica and Man United.

A Yank with the captain's armband is also no longer a matter of wonder - Jay DeMerit, Kasey Keller and Brian McBride are just three of those who have skippered their European sides.

Danny Califf is another. The 27-year old was appointed captain of Aalborg BK at the start of this season following an impressive first campaign in the Danish Superliga in 2006-07, when the US international helped the Jutland club to a third place finish.

"I feel honored to be captain," Califf told American Soccer Daily.

"It is a bit of an odd situation when you are a foreigner with the language difference. I am not so adept at Danish so that has been an adjustment for me, but I feel honored that what I do every day merits me being captain."

Califf's achievement is special. As an outfield captain and defensive anchor, he is expected to communicate more than a goalkeeper to the team as a whole, and as everyone knows, the local language is not his mother tongue.

"I speak soccer-Danish," Califf explained. "It's a kind of hybrid - up and left and down and whatever in Danish, but most of the time I speak English because I have to get the message across."

Fortunately, Denmark is one of those nations where most people can speak better English than the English, and Califf's club already boasts a cosmopolitan roster that includes three Brazilians, three Swedes, two South Africans and a Dutchman, in addition to the man from Orange, California.

But whatever language you choose to communicate in, there is still no hiding place as captain when your teammates need you. As a commanding advantage evaporated in the face of a spirited Tottenham fight back in last week’s UEFA Cup, the shell-shocked Danes looked to their American leader for inspiration.

"Everyone is upset at times like that," Califf recalled. "I feel like I have to be the cheerleader and get everybody's heads up and let them know that we still have time left. That's one of my responsibilities."

AaB lost that duel 3-2, but less than three days later, they found themselves again with a mountain ahead of them, except this time they scaled it.

Down three at home to cellar dwellers Lyngby after 39 minutes, Califf's men ensured lightning would strike their way the second time by banging in five goals in reply.

"You learn a lot about the other guys on your team and how people step up in big games, but you also learn how to manage games against teams that are better than you and in difficult places to play," he said.

Five years with the Galaxy, including an MLS Cup and US Open Cup, one season with the Earthquakes and 18 caps for the National Team ,including captaining his country in the 2007 Copa America, is already an impressive resume, but the Californian continues to be inspired by greater challenges.

"Coming in. I was hoping that it would be a springboard to Europe," said Califf. "It has exceeded all my ambitions and my expectations so far."

"The UEFA Cup has been a big experience and you learn a lot from these games, win or lose. It's a different world - the pace of the match, the pace of the players and the intensity - it's all just a step up."

The Danish Superliga may not have the prestige of Spain's La Liga or England's Premier League, but Califf is convinced that making landfall on the Jutland Peninsula has boosted his international chances.

"I think it has played a big part actually with the National Team," he said. "Playing quality games against quality opposition is what Bob (Bradley)'s looking for."

"You know, seeing me playing in big games week in week out gives him confidence that I can perform and be a guy that he can call on when the time is tough, a guy who is going to lay it all down on the line to win."

A UEFA Cup exit to Getafe not withstanding, Califf's days at the Aalborg Stadion are happy ones right now.

"It has been great," he agreed. "We are on the up and up and I am very proud that I have been involved with this team that has done extremely well in my time here. I am immensely proud of that."

"It's very nice living in Denmark," he continued. "The club has been great and has bent over backwards to help me and my family out. It has been exciting - a good move all round for me, football-wise and personal-wise."

It cannot hurt when you are the captain, a fan favorite and your team is top of the league and on course for the title.

"I think (we can win it)," he smiled. "FC Copenhagen certainly is not dominating like they have in previous years and I really think that we have got the pieces in place to certainly win the championship. I'd be really disappointed if we finished out of the top three, but I think we are certainly setting our sights on the top."

The very top for Califf, as it is for all players of his ilk, would entail a move to a top European club and a starting slot at World Cup 2010. While he is not about to land that double dream-catch just yet, he is also not lowering any expectations as he revels in the best days of his playing career yet.

"Of course, that is the end-all be-all goal, but I also want to enjoy the ride as long as I can," he stated. "I am in it to win it, so wherever that takes me, I am going to jump with two feet and see what happens!"