Mikel Alonso, yep, that one (Xabi's brother), training with the New York Cosmos

It was the summer of 2007 and then-Bolton Wanderers manager Sammy Lee, having recently taken the post at the club, was making a number of signings to try to improve the Trotters' fortunes for the upcoming campaign. That summer, Lee brought in the likes of Gerald Cid, Gavin McCann, and one Mikel Alonso, among others. Alonso is the brother of ex-Liverpool and current Real Madrid star, Xabi Alonso.

The central midfielder, on loan from Real Sociedad, would spend one year at Bolton, appearing 7 times and scoring no goals in the process. At the end of his stint, manager Gary Megson, who succeeded Sammy Lee, would elect not to keep Alonso on (for arguably obvious reasons). Upon his return to Sociedad, a trial at Olympiacos awaited and after that failed, his club bought out his contract and Alonso would spend much of the next six months looking for a new club and training with Roberto Martinez' Swansea in the process.

In January of 2009, Alonso signed with Tenerife then in the Primera División, spending two years and suffering two relegations with the club. He would then move to Charlton in 2011, who were in League One at that point. Alonso would appear in the Football League Trophy but failed to get any appearances in League One, FA Cup, or Carling Cup play. He has been without a team since.

Today, a report from Empire of Soccer, a website covering football in New York, says that Mikel Alonso (along with Francisco Yeste and Raul Tamudo) are training with the New York Cosmos. The Cosmos are in the middle of a reboot efford and will begin play in the North American Soccer League's fall season. The club is still actively recruiting players but coach Giovanni Savarese spoke about the training stint clearly:

"I want to make sure to make it clear; they are not trying out. They are in New York on vacation and they asked if they can train with us. Who knows what can happen after."

Of the three, Alonso is the only one out of contract and thus would likely be available to sign. The Cosmos recently added Spain and Villareal great Marcos Senna to their squad.

Should Alonso make the move, he will join a number of former Wanderers also plying their trade Stateside. Those other Bolton players include Andy O'Brien, Nigel Reo-Coker, and Donovan Ricketts with Stu Holden and Tim Ream both having made their names in MLS.