It’s official, veteran center back Aurelien Collin has a new home with the New York Red Bulls.
Acquired from Orlando City SC in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, the 30-year-old brings a wealth of experience to a New York defense that has had its struggles early in 2016.
Here are five things you need to know about the Red Bulls’ newest signing.
Championship Pedigree
Prior to joining the Lions, Collin was a stalwart within the Sporting Kansas City defense. From 2011-2014, Collin was one of the most feared defenders in MLS, pairing with USMNT defender Matt Besler to create a top-notch central defensive combo.
While with Kansas City, Collin enjoyed quite a bit of success, winning the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2012 and was named MLS Cup MVP in 2013 in a triumph over Real Salt Lake.
Amongst his other honors, Collin was named to the MLS Best XI in 2012, and earned three consecutive MLS All-Star appearances from 2012-2014.
Frenchman in Defense
Joining fellow countrymen Ronald Zubar and Damien Perrinelle, Collin’s addition gives New York a trio of French central defenders.
A native of Enghien-les-Bains, France, Collin joins a locker room that already has a decidedly French flair. Québécois Karl Ouimette and forward Anatole Abang will certainly have Collin feeling at home amongst these native French speakers.
Fashion and Football
Many know of his exploits on the pitch, but Collin has quite a different passion off it.
Known for his rugged, gritty play in the heart of the defense, Collin showcases a different side of his persona through his AC78 clothing line.
“I grew up in Paris and people really care about fashion there,” Collin told the Kansas City Star in 2013. “People will talk to you in the street about what you’re wearing, so from the time you’re very young you get that in mind-set and become conscious of what you’re wearing.”
Collin has showcased his work with fashion shows in Kansas City and continues to promote his own line on his personal website.
Familiar Face
At just 30-years-old, Collin has already enjoyed a successful career in MLS that has seen him team up with some of the league’s best players during his time in Kansas City and Orlando.
Now in New York, Collin will reunite with former teammate Sal Zizzo, both of whom suited up for SKC during the 2014 season. While used in the midfield under Peter Vermes, Zizzo now mans the backline for the Red Bulls, and is looking forward to sharing a locker room with Collin once again.
“Aurelien is a great guy and a very good pro,” Zizzo told NewYorkRedBulls.com. “He’s shown that and I think he fits into our system very well. He’s had great success in this league, so I’m excited to have him here.”
Family First
A hot commodity in MLS, Collin became an even more attractive signing in 2012 after obtaining his green card. Through this acquisition, the French-born Collin would no longer take up an international slot on an MLS roster, giving team’s all the more reason to bring him on board.
However, Collin is listed as an international player on the Red Bulls roster, and the reason for the change is of his own doing.
In order to be reunited with his wife, Leo, Collin forfeited his green card status to revert back to a P-1 visa. This subsequently allowed his wife to join him in Orlando through her own P-4 visa.
“Thanks to the club, thanks to Orlando City, they helped a lot,” Collin told the Orlando Sentinel earlier this year. “They made that dream come true.”
“It’s been four years that I was trying to get her here,” Collin added. “It was very hard. When your wife is not with you it’s very complicated, but right now she’s with me so I’m the happiest man in the world.”
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