L.A.'s Gonzalez loaned to Germany's Nurnberg

Nurnberg, Germany – Los Angeles Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez February.

Gonzalez, 23, left U.S. national team camp this week and Nurnberg announced on its website Thursday the 2009 Major League Soccer Rookie of the Year has moved to the club on a short-term loan.

The central defender has been a starter for L.A. since his rookie season, and started 29 regular-season matches and all four postseason games last year, as the Galaxy won the MLS Cup.

Gonzalez has played twice for the U.S., and makes his first move to Europe. He joins fellow U.S. defender Timothy Chandler at Nurnberg, although the duo has never played together with the U.S.

Nurnberg executive sports and public relations person Martin Bader admitted on the club's website it was interested in signing Gonzalez this summer, and was glad to add him on the short-term deal.