As expected, American netminder Colin Burns completed a deal with Allsvenskan risers Ljungskile by signing a two-year contract on Monday.

The 25-year old University of Massachusetts grad has used persistence to climb up from leagues in Moldova and Finland to the Swedish top division.

"I'm shocked right now," Burns told American Soccer Daily. "I still can't believe it! It's been almost three years of toiling away in Europe waiting for the right opportunity. Doing all this on my own without an agent, it's been a struggle, but it's all worth it now."

Ljungskile are still building their roster for a March 31st opener against Charlie Davies and Hammarby, so the Delaware native is hopeful of seeing some action.

"There is only one other senior team goalkeeper, a 30-year old Polish keeper (Michal Slawuta) whose former club was FC Lahti in Finland," said Burns. "We have one other junior keeper about 18 or 19 years old (Emil Erlandsson)."

The team, coached by Englishman David Wilson, also recently acquired American forward Etchu Tabe. The 2008 season will be only the club's second ever go-around in the Allsvenskan.