Muhamed Keita is likely to be the next New York Red Bulls signing, the former Norwegian U-23 winger in town to complete a move to MLS. The move comes with an interesting link between the current Red Bulls staff and one of the most legendary names in American soccer.
Bob Bradley coached Keita in 2014 when the player was on loan to Stabaek. At the time, Bradley was the manager of the Norwegian club, helping guide them to promotion before eventually moving to coach in France and then the English Premier League.
And of course, Bradley coached current Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch in MLS. From there, Marsch spent time with Bradley as an assistant coach of the United States national team when his mentor guided the Americans to the 2010 World Cup. In addition, Red Bulls sporting director Denis Hamlett was an assistant coach under Bradley for a number of years at the Chicago Fire.
During that time, Bradley, along with Hamlett, helped guide the Fire to an MLS Cup along with multiple U.S. Open Cup titles. It was with Bradley that Hamlett began to earn his reputation as a savvy tactician and for his strong understanding of the intricacies of the world game.
“Keita is a talented attacking player who can play wide and in the center,” Bradley told Metro this past weekend. “He’s quick with the ability to create chances and also score some great goals.”
An intriguing player, Keita brings pace and width to a Red Bulls attack that has had some inconsistencies this year on the wing. He was in town this weekend for his medical along with Panamanian center back Fidel Escobar.
Fresh off a solid Gold Cup with Panama, Metro can confirm reports from central America that Escobar is poised for a deal with the Red Bulls.
As for Keita, the move to MLS looks promising and merely needs to be tied-up per quotes from the player’s representation.
“Yes, we’re closing in on a deal. Everything should be in place in a couple of days,” agent Atta Aneke told Bjørn Vegar Digre of Nettavisen, a prominent Norwegian online newspaper.
According to Digre, Aneke also confirms it will be a permanent deal and not a loan in the player’s move to MLS.
