After several weeks of rumors and almosts, the New York Red Bulls on Thursday finally landed their man in Swedish defender Markus Holgersson pending receipt of his P-1 visa approval and his his International Transfer Certificate, as well as passing a league physical.
Holgersson is expected to be an immediate starter in New York, either alongside or in place of Tim Ream, who is reportedly on the verge of transfering to EPL side Bolton Wanderers. At 6-foot-3, Holgersson has the physicality and experience to compete in MLS, according to New York GM Erik Solér.
“Markus is a strong, experienced defender who will bring immediate stability and leadership to our back line,” Solér said in a press release. “Over the offseason, one of our priorities was to add more physical players and Markus certainly fits that bill. We are excited that he has decided to join New York.”
The 26-year-old comes to New York on a free transfer from Helsingborg of the Allsvenskan, the Swedish top flight. He’s currently in camp with the national team and is hoping to earn his first cap with the Blågult against Bahrain or Qatar later in the month.
With Holgersson leading from the back in 2011, Helsingborg became the first team in Allsvenskan history to win the treble.
