“Brian is a very promising young player who has pace and can deliver quality service with both feet,” said Red Bull New York General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. “We are thrilled to sign him and he will immediately compete for a spot in our starting lineup.”The New York Red Bulls made official the signing of Danish left midfielder Brian Nielsen on Thursday afternoon. The former youth international told Danish sports website Tipsbladet.dk on Thursday that he is looking forward to the move to the United States.
“I'm very excited right now, and I'm looking very much forward to going to New York," Nielsen said. "It is a step forward for me, and I've got great chances of playing a lot [for the] Red Bulls. At the same time it is USA. It is far away, and who would say no to living in New York City? I can start over there.”
Nielsen has represented Denmark at every youth level from age 16 through the U-21s and the 23-year-old left-sided midfielder has appeared for club side Vejle 92 times since joining the outfit in 2005. He is well known for his pace, something New York head coach Hans Backe told MLSsoccer.com earlier this week that he was looking to add to the midfield.
He still must pass a physical and the club is waiting for his ITC.
“If everything goes according to the plan, I can play my first match next weekend," Nielsen said. "I've got to get a work permit at first, but we're working on it.”
While with Vejle, Nielsen played with Salou Ibrahim, a forward on the Red Bulls.
“I've wanted to leave Vejle for a while," Nielsen said. "Then I had the opportunity [with New York] -- and of course I took it. It's an adventure. I don’t know much about the club though. I haven’t been speaking to [fellow Dane and KC keeper] Jimmy Nielsen or [former and future teammate] Ibrahim Salou. Instead I have been reading a lot about the club on the internet.”
Nielsen is the latest in a series of imports with ties to the Scandinavian leagues, including Roy Miller and Joel Lindpere.
“[Nielsen] is a very promising young player who has pace and can deliver quality service with both feet,” said Red Bull New York General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. “We are thrilled to sign him and he will immediately compete for a spot in our starting lineup.”
