Babajide Ogunbiyi's long-awaited move to the New York Red Bulls is off.
Citing medical conditions, the Red Bulls parted ways with Ogunbiyi, an original draft pick of the club in 2009 who plied his trade in Denmark before agreeing to terms with the club on July 31.
"During our standard, thorough physical, our medical team noticed an issue regarding Jide’s health," Red Bulls general manager Erik Soler said in a statement. "Over the past few weeks, Jide has consulted extensively with our doctors as well as other practitioners. We thought that after receiving all of the information available, it was best that we part ways at this time. We wish Jide the best of luck and success in his future endeavors. Respecting Jide’s right to confidentiality, we will not comment further on the medical issue."
The 6-foot-4 centerback out of Santa Clara University was thought to have provided cover at centerback for Markus Holgersson, Wilman Conde, Stephen Keel, Rafa Marquez and Heath Pearce, a unit that has been plagued by injuries. Upon his signing, he was said to be available for selection for the club's friendly against Tottenham, but he did not feature and was not on the bench.
What do you think of this development? Do you think the Red Bulls have enough centerback depth without Ogunbiyi in the mix?
Share your thoughts below.
I dont think any team is ambitious as NY. They could have taken this guy anyway.
They already have the 4th DP lined up as soon as MLS opens the slot.
Can other American teams now pick him up?
Im not sold on Holgersson and Conde seems to get injured every other game. This guy would have helped.
Failed medical. Oh well.
Agree, seems too obvious to be a mistake. Could just be smokescreen from the team. About to sign Jide, when a winger they liked more than LeToux (umm hint – he’s not a winger Backe)when Lloyd Sam fell into their lap. They figured they needed right wing crossing ability & pace > another defender. Money left over for both Sam and Jide? Not so sure…
Just as well. No one would be able to pronounce his name.
In contrast you have conde, who god knows how conde did not have trouble with his physical, Marquez was and is a soccer star so maybe he had it easy. Henry, another soccer star who also might have gotten it easy, maybe Red bull are not going to sign vulnerable players with a bad history of injuries or health issues anymore. Just sign kaka and drop marquez, do it.
quick follow up…the red bulls cited medical confiedentiality as the reason they would not say anything else on the matter…they already said TOO MUCH…medical confidentiality should have been the reason they said NOTHING.
agreed…the red bulls should have said that he did not pass his physical and as a result, he would not be joining the team…given the way the red bulls handled this, i think it puts this player at a disadvantage going forward and scares off other suitors.
Pesonal things like this are always uncomfortable to openly discuss or report on, but somehow I feel like this should have been said in another way. A mere “he failed his physical” or something like that should have sufficed. There seems to be too much being said here that allows the mind to wander and speculate somewhat. I know this cannot.should noty impact his ability to gain employment elsewhere, but…I dunno, may it’s just me.