Red Bull New York announced today that it signed forward Salou Ibrahim. Per club and League policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Ibrahim is available for selection for New York’s match Saturday against Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center at 4:00 PM ET (TV: MSG, TeleFutura; Radio: WADO 1280 AM). The Red Bulls also announced they waived midfielder Ernst Oebster.
“Salou is an athletic and physical forward who will immediately improve our team,” said Red Bull New York General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. “He was impressive during his time training with the team and we are excited to bring him on board.”
Soler added, “We spoke with Ernst and we mutually decided that it was in both his and the club’s interest to part ways. We want to thank Ernst for his effort during his time here.”
Ibrahim, who started and played 67 minutes in the Red Bulls’ 3-1 exhibition win over Santos FC at Red Bull Arena on March 20, began his career playing for German club TuS Wandsbek 81 in 1998. In 2000, he signed for FC Turnhout in Belgium, where he stayed for four seasons, making 50 appearances and scoring 29 goals. During the 2003-04 season, Ibrahim scored 16 goals in 26 appearances for FC Turnhout before signing with KV Kortrijk of the Belgian Second Division in 2004.
One season later, Ibrahim moved on to S.V. Zulte-Waregem in the Belgian First Division, scoring nine goals in 29 league appearances (14 goals in all competitions) and helping the club to the 2006 Belgian Cup. He then was signed by fellow Belgian First Division side, Club Brugge in 2006. In two seasons with the club, Ibrahim appeared in 46 Belgian First Division matches, scoring five goals. He also helped the club capture the 2007 Belgian Cup. In 2008, he moved to MSV Duisburg of the German Second Division and later played for Vejle Boldklub of the Danish Superliga, before joining the Red Bulls.
Oebster joined the Red Bulls on July 16, 2009. He played in three games, starting in two.
Full Season Ticket Plans for the New York Red Bulls’ first season at Red Bull Arena, in Harrison, NJ, are on sale now. Midfield seats in the 100-Level and sideline sections 107, 112, 124 and 128 are all sold out, but good seats are still available. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 1.877.RBSOCCER or log onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.
#29 Salou Ibrahim
Pronunciation: sah-LOO
Position: Forward
Height: 6-4
Weight: 205
Date of Birth: May 29, 1979 in Kumasi, Ghana
Previous Club: Vejle Boldklub (Danish Superliga)
Roster status: Senior International
How Acquired: Signed by New York on April 9, 2010
