New York Red Bulls Sporting Director Erik Soler confirmed to reporters at Red Bull Arena on Saturday that the Red Bulls will unveil a second designated player to the media on Thursday. Soler would not comment on the particular player, but he said that the process began “a long time ago.”
Although speculation is running rampant that the player to be announced will be former Barcelona and French international Thierry Henry, Soler said that a contract is yet to be signed between the unnamed player in question and the club.
Soler also discussed that a third designated player could be a part of the summer signing spree for the Red Bulls. The sporting director told reporters that the target before the World Cup had always been to sign two marquee players. He revealed that the player of interest is a midfielder.
“I think it’s more than 50-50,” Soler said of whether a third designated player, the mystery midfielder, would be signed.
The rumor mill says that Mexican international Rafael Marquez is the player of interest. Soler fueled this speculation that it could be Marquez by commenting that the player can man a number of positions all over the field.
In addition, Marquez is currently under contract to Barcelona. Soler confirmed that the third DP the club is pursuing is “not out of contract.”
When asked by MLSSoccer.com if the mystery midfielder is one who had played with Henry before, Soler simply said “I have no comment for that.”
Kristian Dyer is a reporter for MLSSoccer.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs. He can be reached for comment at KristianRDyer@yahoo.com and followed at
twitter.com/kdyer1012
