SECAUCUS, N.J. - Red Bull New York announced today that it has signed former Dutch National Team goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus. Waterreus will be counted as a Senior International on the Red Bulls' roster. Per MLS and team regulations, terms of the deal are undisclosed.
"We've added a proven goalkeeper with a lot of experience," said RBNY Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena. "We are hopeful he will assume a leadership role in the locker room which will be beneficial to us. Ronald and Jon Conway give us a very strong pair of goalkeepers. We think this position has been upgraded considerably."
"Ronald brings leadership, experience and professionalism that can only help us in our search for championships," said RBNY Technical Director Jeff Agoos.
Waterreus joins the Red Bulls after a successful career in the Dutch Eredivisie (First Division). After starting his career at Roda JC (1992/93 - 1993/94), he joined Eredivisie power PSV Eindhoven, where he was the starting goalie for 10 seasons (1994/95 - 2003/04) and played 285 games. He helped PSV to four league championships in 1997, 2000, 2001 and 2003.
"It has been one of my goals to play here in the United States," Waterreus said. "I spoke to Bruce Arena and Jeff Agoos about being someone who has played at a high level in Europe and can use that experience to lead and help the younger players with the club. I am looking forward to that."
Waterreus has seen time with the Dutch National Team, earning seven caps for his country. One of those appearances came against the U.S. in a friendly before the '02 World Cup, when his 11-save shutout helped lead the Orange to a 2-0 victory over the Americans. He was also a member of the team's 2004 European Cup squad.
The Dutch goalkeeper joined Premiership side Manchester City for a short stint (2004/05), where he was a teammate of current Red Bull Claudio Reyna. He then transferred to Rangers, where he played a total of 49 games and helped them win the League and League Cup in the 2005/06 season and qualify for the knockout round of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in club history. Waterreus was most recently with Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar, starting in six games this season.
Waterreus becomes the third Senior International on the Red Bulls roster, joining teammates Markus Schopp and Dave van den Bergh. Per MLS regulations, clubs are allowed to have four non-domestic players who turn 25 or older during a respective season.
