Red Bull New York announced today the signing of Norwegian International midfielder Jan Gunnar Solli. Solli will be added to the club’s roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.
“Jan is a player I have followed for several years and he will immediately compete for a place in our starting lineup,” said Red Bull New York General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. “He has tremendous versatility and can play both in the midfield and in defense. We are excited that he has joined the Red Bulls.”
Solli, 29, started his professional career with Odd Grenland of the Norwegian Premier League in 2000. In four seasons with Odd Grenland, Solli appeared in 54 games. In 2003, he transferred to famed Norwegian side Rosenborg BK, where appeared in 85 matches from 2003 through 2006 and scored three goals. He helped the club win three Norwegian Premier League titles including back-to-back championships in 2003 and 2004, and another in 2006, while also capturing the Norwegian Cup in 2003. Solli also helped Rosenborg reach the Group Stage of the 2004-2005 UEFA Champions League, scoring in the first leg of the final qualifying stage series against Israel’s Maccabi Haifa FC.
Solli most recently featured for Norwegian club SK Brann. He played for the club from 2007 to 2010, appearing in 97 matches and scoring eight goals. In 2007, his first season with Brann, Solli helped the club to its first Norwegian Premier League title since 1963. Solli also helped the club reach the Round of 32 in the 2007-08 UEFA Cup.
Solli debuted for the Norwegian National Team on Aug. 20, 2003 in a friendly against Scotland, and has since gone on to earn 40 caps for his country. He scored his first senior international goal on April 28, 2004 in a 3-2 victory over Russia. He continues to earn call-ups to the national side, and last featured for Norway in a 2-1 victory over Iceland on Sept. 3, 2010 in a 2012 UEFA European Championship qualification match.
