|
|
New York Red Bulls sign Academy product Connor Lade
The New York Red Bulls announced the signing of their latest Academy product – full back Connor Lade, on a Home Grown Player contract.
Dec 5, 2011 7:02:00 PM
By Nick Rosano
The New York Red Bulls announced Monday that they had signed 22-year-old defender Connor Lade on a Home Grown Player contract. Lade, a New Jersey native and Red Bulls Academy product, had played four seasons of college soccer at St. John's University and is the fifth Home Grown Player to sign with the Red Bulls.
"Signing players from our academy has been one of our ongoing priorities. We believe that Connor can compete on the professional level after having four strong years in college soccer," said New York General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. "We are thrilled to bring him into our squad and think that he has a bright future ahead of him."
Lade started all of St. John's 18 games in his final year of college soccer, playing every mintue of every game for his second consecutive season and helping the team to Big East championship, where he was named the tournament's Outstanding Defensive player.
"Playing for the Red Bulls Senior Team and in Major League Soccer is a dream that I have had since I was young. I want to thank my family and friends, St. John’s and the Red Bulls for their support," Lade said. "I have worked hard to try and reach this point and I am excited to compete for my spot starting in January at our preseason camp."
Lade joins Matt Kassel, Juan Agudelo, Sacir Hot and Giorgi Chirgadze as former Academy players who have signed with the Red Bulls' first team.
"Signing players from our academy has been one of our ongoing priorities. We believe that Connor can compete on the professional level after having four strong years in college soccer," said New York General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. "We are thrilled to bring him into our squad and think that he has a bright future ahead of him."
Lade started all of St. John's 18 games in his final year of college soccer, playing every mintue of every game for his second consecutive season and helping the team to Big East championship, where he was named the tournament's Outstanding Defensive player.
"Playing for the Red Bulls Senior Team and in Major League Soccer is a dream that I have had since I was young. I want to thank my family and friends, St. John’s and the Red Bulls for their support," Lade said. "I have worked hard to try and reach this point and I am excited to compete for my spot starting in January at our preseason camp."
Lade joins Matt Kassel, Juan Agudelo, Sacir Hot and Giorgi Chirgadze as former Academy players who have signed with the Red Bulls' first team.
Follow Goal.com on 
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's 
page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.
-
McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date
The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.