The New York Red Bulls have completed one acquisition before today's close of the MLS transfer window, and may have a second player signed after the close of the window.
The Red Bulls have completed the acquisition of Danish midfielder Brian Nielsen, landing the Vejle and former Danish youth national team player on loan.
Nielsen's loan deal has been completed, and he has received his P-1 visa, but must now wait for his paperwork to be finalized and is expected to be eligible to play by the end of the month.
The club's quest to acquire English striker Luke Rodgers won't be completed by today, but with Notts County releasing Rodgers from his contract, Rodgers is free to sign outside the transfer window. Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe said on Thursday that Rodgers expects to receive his visa soon.
In other news, Red Bulls general manager Erik Soler confirmed that the team does plan to buy a third designated player slot, which will cost the team $250,000. That revelation doesn't come as a surprise, but Soler did say the Red Bulls are closing in on one of their Designated Player targets.
Here are some other tidbits from Red Bulls training today:
Soler said Nielsen's loan deal does not include a purchase option, but the team would work to finalize a purchase if Nielsen impresses. His loan deal runs through the end of the season.
When asked if Nielsen was joining the Red Bulls via a move involving Red Bull Salzburg, Soler stated that he wasn't. That is contrary to reports out of Austria suggesting that Nielsen was being loaned to New York ahead of a sale to Red Bull Salzburg.
According to Soler, several European clubs, including German power Hamburg, have scouted Nielsen through the years.
When asked about the team's interest in veteran Dave Van Den Bergh, Soler admitted that the club had considered Van Den Bergh, but decided the team needed a speedier and younger option on the left flank.
Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe discussed his policy regarding fielding strong teams during the U.S. Open Cup. He plans on fielding close to a full-strength team when New York takes on Philadelphia on April 27 in an U.S. Open Cup play-in game.
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What do you think of these developments? Hoping Nielsen is the missing piece on the left wing?
The Red Bulls are really looking like they are finally building a team to win the Championship. Also with the team looking to buy a third DP spot the team will really be able to build one of the strongest teams in the league. I am deffently getting more and more excited about this season. Lets Go Red Bulls!!
Actually referring to Brian Nielsen. In the article Ives said the loan deal doesn’t include an option to purchase. Thought MLS stipulated that loan deals needed one so the league wasn’t flooded with temporary mercenaries, but maybe the rule was changed?
Are you referring to Montero? Because the Sounders have already purchased him.