With the MLS academy season coming to a close, sources with knowledge of the situation have told me that Red Bull New York are trying to lock down 15-year-old attacker Julian Hall to a homegrown contract to keep the U15 star in New Jersey. But the club faces heavy competition from multiple teams over in Europe.
Julian is a dual-national by way of being Polish American. He holds a US passport through his dad and a Polish passport through his mom, which he is currently in the process of acquiring. This would allow the 15-year-old to make a move across the Atlantic once he turns 16 years of age.
Red Bull faces stiff competition for Julian's signature over in Europe with the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea FC (scored twice against), and many others interested after scouting the Polish-American this academy season, most recently at the GA Cup back in April.
Photo Courtesy of @footyaccess
Hall, born in Manhattan, has been making massive waves this season for the Red Bull U15s and more recently Red Bull II, where Hall became the youngest goal scorer in the club's history at just 15 years and 73 days last month against New England Revolution II in MLS Next PRO.
A striker or left-winger by trade, Hall just wrapped up playing with his own age group one last time down at the MLS Next Playoffs in Dallas this weekend. With a 2-1 comeback victory over CF Montreal, Hall, and Red Bull took home the U15 MLS Next Championship.
Down 1-0 late, Hall would make an impact, scoring the equalizer in the 78', before Tanner Rosborough scored the game-winning goal in the 86' to win Red Bull the national title. Individually for Hall, he took home the Golden Boot (5 goals & 1 assist) and Golden Ball for MVP of the tournament.
Video via @footyaccess
At the GA Cup back in April, Julian led his U15 side to the quarter-finals before losing to eventual champions Austin FC. After five games, Hall finished the tournament with four goals, two of which came against Chelsea FC. Hall would take home a share of the Tournament's Golden Boot with teammate Tanner Rosborough.
Julian's performances haven't gone unnoticed inside Red Bull's training facility in Morris County, NJ. First-team manager Troy Lesesne gave the 15-year-old Hall some high praise in his pre-game media against Charlotte FC. Lesesne was asked about which players have impressed him from Red Bull II and here's his response.
"I got to say, there is a kid named Julian Hall that is very impressive. 15 years old and got his debut a couple of weeks ago, scored against New England's second team, and has had some really good performances," said Lesene.
A special guest was also in attendance for the final, as Red Bull Sporting Director Denis Hamlett was in attendance at Toyota Stadium, home of MLS side FC Dallas, to witness the U15s victory in person.
Red Bull has had a track record of giving young players opportunities while with the first team. Players like Matt Miazga (2013-2016), Tyler Adams (2015-2019), John Tolkin (2020-Pres), Daniel Edelman (2021-Pres), and most recently Serge Ngoma, made the jump to the first team as teenagers.
Ngoma even scored his first MLS goal at just 16 years, 357 days last season against Atlanta United. He would become the third youngest goal scorer in Red Bull's club history, only behind Jozy Altidore and Eddie Gaven.
It will now be up to Julian and his family to decide what course of action is best for his development. Will the young man choose first-team Red Bull minutes or test his luck in a European academy?
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