It's been a busy week for the New York Red Bulls, just a week before Christmas and it continued into the weekend as the club officially announced the signing of Swedish international midfielder Emil Forsberg from RB Leipzig in Germany. The signing was first reported by BILD last month.
Also being reported by Sport Bladet in Sweden is the transfer fee and salary of Forsberg in New York. The international player will cost Red Bull €4.5 Million (~$4.91 Million) in a transfer fee going to Leipzig, while Forsberg is set to earn 60 Million SEK ($5.85 Million) per season in New York.
https://twitter.com/NewYorkRedBulls/status/1736106491810050122?s=20
"We are very excited to add a player of Emil’s caliber to our club, the amount of experience he has in Europe will be a great addition to our roster. We are grateful for the support from Red Bull Soccer. This transfer showcases the Red Bull philosophy of high-intensity and attacking soccer and the power of our multi-club ecosystem which will benefit our club,” said Head of Sport Jochen Schneider. “Emil is an amazing talent with a skillset that will particularly help develop young players and we cannot wait to see him take the pitch at Red Bull Arena in 2024."
Forsberg has signed a deal with New York as a Designated Player on a three-year contract through 2026 with an option for 2027. The Leipzig legend arrives in the tri-state having made 324 appearances with Leipzig, scoring 71 goals and 68 assists, after joining the club in 2015 when the club was in the second division in German football.
The newest Red Bull coach Sandro Schwarz chimed in on the blockbuster signing. “Emil’s experience in Europe will be very valuable to the locker room and we are looking forward to welcoming him to the club,” said Head Coach Sandro Schwarz. “He is a great attacking midfielder that will provide much value to our midfield this season.”
photo courtesy of RB Leipzig
The signing was made official after Leipzig's last home game of the season, where Forsberg made the difference on the bench, scoring the game-winning goal in the 70', and provided the assist on another just four minutes later to seal the deal for Leipzig, who currently sit in 3rd place in the Bundesliga.
Red Bull fans haven't had a player of this caliber to root for since club legend Thierry Henry last stepped on the field at Red Bull Arena in 2014. Emil Forsberg will look to bring his offensive threat next to DP striker Dante Vanzeir and Lewis Morgan and help a team that was anemic in the final third last season. A Champions League goal scorer this year, a playmaker, and a leader on the pitch, this should just be the beginning of a massive offseason for Red Bull.
Jochen Schneider emphasized that just making the playoffs isn't a success anymore, but an expectation, and only winning titles will make seasons successful for the people inside the building. Schneider told us that spending on the pitch would increase and singing their own "superstar" has been accomplished.
The big question is, what's next for Schneider and the brass at Red Bull?
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