The New York Red Bulls went all the way to Norway to sign a local product, as the club made its first splash of this offseason in the transfer market on Thursday.
The club announced it has signed 24-year-old Clifton, N.J., native and former Red Bulls Academy player Jonathan Borrajo, a defender who most recently played with Norwegian side Hamarkameratene.
“We believe that Jonathan is an exciting player who can compete for a spot in our starting lineup,” Red Bulls general manager and sporting director Erik Solér said in a statement. “Jonathan was an important part in helping his old team reach promotion to the Norwegian first division and we are thrilled to be bringing in a young, local product to MLS and back to his hometown club.”
Borrajo joined Hamarkameratene in August 2010 and is coming off a successful season, playing every game – 36 matches in all – as HamKam reached the First Division, or Adeccoligaen, the rung below Norway’s top flight, the Tippelgaen.
The defender began his pro career with the Real Maryland Monarchs of the USL Second Division in 2009, playing every minute of every match and earning All League First Team honors, after a four-year career at George Mason University.He was a standout at Clifton High School, being named Team MVP and Best Defender while earning spots on the All-State and All-County teams.
