HARRISON, N.J. (December 23, 2025) – Red Bull New York II have signed Red Bulls Academy midfielder Paul Sokoloff to a two-year MLS NEXT Pro contract through the 2027 season, the club announced today. Sokoloff will join the first team on an MLS contract as a Homegrown Player starting in 2028 through the 2030 MLS season.
“We are excited to have Paul (Sokoloff) with Red Bull II,” says Head of Sport Julian de Guzman. “He is a talented young midfielder that has excelled in our academy system. We look forward to working with him and continuing his development.”
The 16-year-old made his MLS NEXT Pro debut on August 15, subbing on in the 80th minute against New England Revolution II at Gillette Stadium.
The Brooklyn, N.Y native has four appearances for the U-16 USYNT scoring three goals. He scored the tying goal in a 1-1 draw against Mexico on November 18, 2024, and the second goal in a 4-0 win over Uruguay on May 27, 2025.
The midfielder also has seven appearances for the U-15 USYNT and has scored three goals. He made his international debut on November 30, 2023, in a 2-1 victory over Portugal. His most notable performance with the U-15s was his two-goal match in a 4-2 win over Morocco on May 17, 2024.
Sokoloff captained the 2024 U-15 USYNT Vlatko Markovic Tournament winning team.
The Brooklyn, N.Y. native most recently was called into November U-17 USYNT International Training Camp in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from November 10 to November 18.
Sokoloff began his time with the club at a 2017 Red Bulls Youth Programs Summer Camp in New York City at eight years old and began a Red Bulls Regional Development Program in Brooklyn, N.Y. shortly after. He was selected to an RDS Showcase team in 2018, before signing to the U-10 Pre-Academy. Sokoloff then worked his way up the club pipeline into the Red Bulls Academy where he featured at the U-12, U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16 and U-18 levels.
“Paulie (Sokoloff) has been with our Academy for a number of years, and it has been great to watch him develop and mature as it pertains to both his game understanding and his personality,” says Academy Director Sean McCafferty. “His self-confidence and decisiveness in big moments are what separates him from others in his position and it has been pleasing to see him adapt and evolve as a player as he progressed through the age groups.”
The midfielder is one of 10 players from Red Bulls Youth Programs history to sign a professional contract with the organization and one of 57 players from the program to sign a professional contract.
He was a member of the 2023 U-15 MLS NEXT Cup Champion side and was one of nine different players to score for the U-15s during the 2023 MLS NEXT Cup.
TRANSACTION: Red Bull New York II have signed Red Bulls Academy midfielder Paul Sokoloff to a two-year MLS NEXT Pro contract through the 2027 season on December 23, 2025. Sokoloff will join the first team on an MLS contract as a homegrown starting in 2028 through the 2030 MLS season.
