For the first time since word of his transfer stunned the Major League Soccer world on Wednesday, Jozy Altidore publicly addressed his pending move to Villarreal of Spain's La Liga.
In a pregame press conference Thursday at Giants Stadium, the 18-year-old forward said that Villarreal, which finished second in La Liga this season, initially expressed interest in January.
"Their interest grew more and more and, fortunately for me, it was during a time when I was playing some of my better soccer," he said.
Altidore still must agree to personal contract terms and pass a physical with the La Liga runners-up before the deal is complete and wouldn't join Villarreal until July 1, when the European transfer window opens.
Once the deal is completed, the Red Bulls will receive an allocation and a portion of the transfer fee.
The Red Bulls have been looking for a left-sided midfielder and reportedly are close to signing Venezuelan international Jorge Rojas. They've also targeted a left back and possibly a playmaker in the midfield.
Now, looking for a striker has become a priority.
"We'll look to continue to strengthen our team," said Red Bulls sporting director Jeff Agoos. "We'll have more resources to do so. Anytime you lose a player like Jozy, it's a loss and we will have to make that up, but we wish Jozy well. The goal remains the same, to win an MLS Cup and we move forward from here."
Altidore has also drawn interest from other European clubs, including Reading in the English Premier League. But he said the standards of a league like La Liga was a big reason for making the move.
"I chose there because I think it's a very good league," he said. "To me, it's probably second to the Premier League. It gets a lot of respect. I like the way they play the game there and they play very good soccer. I think it would be a good place for me to develop my game."
There have been reports that Altidore will be loaned from Villarreal for the start of next season, which is a possibility to which he isn't opposed.
"A club like Villarreal, they're in second in La Liga, so it would be tough to get in there right away and contribute the way I want to," Altidore said. "That wouldn't be a bad idea to go to a team there and get some playing time and develop a little bit more so I'm ready to play those big games they have on their schedule."
Red Bulls fans hoping to catch a final glimpse of Altidore on the field here might be out of luck. A left ankle contusion suffered in training Monday forced him to miss training Tuesday and Wednesday and he is not in the lineup for Thursday's match against Chivas USA.
If he has indeed played his final match for the Red Bulls, Altidore said he has nothing but fond memories of his time here.
"I remember almost every game I've played for Red Bull," he said. "I was watching this team when I was little, just because of where my family was and I'd visit all the time. I would say I'm going to play for this team one day. It was a goal of mine and I was able to achieve that. ... Each game, whether there was 4,000 people or 66,000 people, they're all special moments for me."
As for the immediate future for Altidore, there's a chance he'll be selected for the United States under-23 national team for the Summer Olympics in Beijing in August, although that is something that will have to be worked out with Villarreal once his personal terms are agreed upon.
And then there's improving his Spanish.
"No hablar Espanol pero yo entiendo un poco," he said.
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
