On Friday, Jan. 16, Red Bull New York announced that it had reached an agreement to acquire two international roster spots from the Seattle Sounders for the 2026 Major League Soccer season. As part of the agreement, New York will send $350,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money and $50,000 in 2027 General Allocation Money to Seattle.
This move gives New York more flexibility in registering international players to its squad for the 2026 season. Although the club has not announced a preseason roster like many other MLS clubs have, the club currently has 14 international players contracted to the senior squad, including Emil Forsberg (Sweden), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Cameroon), Gustav Berggren (Sweden), Noah Eile (Sweden), Wiktor Bogacz (Poland), Dennis Gjengaar (Norway), Ronald Donkor (Ghana), Juan Jose Mina (Colombia), Mohammed Sofo (Ghana), Omar Valencia (Panama), Marcelo Morales (Chile), Andy Rojas (Costa Rica), Rafael Mosquera (Panama) and Nehuen Benedetti (Argentina).
Episode 3 of Empire Soccer Report is live on all platforms! In the latest edition, James Birle is joined by Michael Battista of New York Sports Nation and Hudson River Blue to discuss the Red Bulls trading Daniel Edelman, the signing of Robert Voloder, the reported rejected bid for Gavin Beavers and more!