Source: Kemar Lawrence to sign extension with Red Bulls

Kemar Lawrence will be a New York Red Bull for a little while longer.

League sources tell Metro New York that Lawrence, the Red Bulls starting left back, is set to sign a multi-year extension with the team that includes “a substantial pay raise.” The source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that Lawrence’s deal will make him “one of the better paid outside backs in MLS.”

The deal is expected to be completed next week the source said.

Last year was Lawrence’s first season in MLS and he quickly settled into a prominent role with the Supporters Shield winning club as well as with the Jamaican national team. Following a strong summer showing at Copa America and then the Gold Cup, Lawrence started to generate interest in England. That interest continued this offseason.

This represents the second raise this offseason for Lawrence, the source said, as he already received a boost from Red Bulls management, who used allocation money to add to his contract. Now this deal paves a pathway for Lawrence to secure his Red Bulls future.

At the very least, the deal at least ensures that Lawrence will be a Red Bull for this season after speculation that he could be the target of transfer bids.

The 23-year old had 23 starts for the Red Bulls and played 2,000 minutes in MLS action last year.