Out of contract San Jose defender Clarence Goodson has inked a three-year contract to join Norwegian droppers IK Start.

The two-time Norwegian champs were relegated from the top flight last season after finishing 13th. The Kristiansand outfit were in the UEFA Cup as recently as 2006.

A recent MLS Expansion draft choice from FC Dallas, Goodson spurned contract offers from the Quakes to make the move. While San Jose will be disappointed to lose half of their expected central defense duo, the Virgina native goes to a team that was very eager to claim his services.

"We have followed him for quite a while," Start press officer Svein Mathisen told American Soccer Daily. "There was no doubt he was right player. For us, it was not diffcult."

While the club are busy going through their preseason paces in Brazil, Goodson will finish camp with the US National Team, culminating on January 19th with a Sweden friendly. Should the 25-year old see action at the Home Depot Center, it will mark his first international cap.

Mathisen didn't believe Goodson would be able to make it down to Rio de Janeiro before the trip ends. The American is expected to meet up with his new teammates for the first time at the end of January.

IK Start kick off the new Adeccoligaen campaign when promoted Nybergsund visit Sør Arena on April 6th.