The New York Red Bulls have added Tim Cahill as their third Designated Player, the club announced Thursday afternoon.
The versatile attacker was spotted at the AT&T MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday after his impending arrival was rumored throughout the past week. The Red Bulls have now officially added him to the team, pending receipt of his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
The 32-year-old Australian international, an attacking midfielder, has scored 68 goals in 278 apperances across all competitions for English Premier League outfit Everton, where he's played since 2004. He'll join Thierry Henry and Rafa Márquez as New York DPs.
“We are absolutely thrilled to bring in a player of Tim’s caliber to the Red Bulls,” Red Bulls general manager and sporting director Erik Solér said in a press release. “He is the technical, physical presence we have been looking to add in our team and he brings a wealth of experience to our club having played in some of the highest levels of international soccer. Tim is a proven leader both on and off the field and we believe that he can help us immediately in our quest to win the MLS Cup this season."
Cahill is one of his country's most decorated players, having represented the Socceroos 55 times while scoring 24 goals. After helping the team qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, he became the first Australian to score in the international game's marquee event.
In addition to his time at Everton, Cahill started his pro career and spent six years in the second and third divisions of England with Millwall, helping lead the club to an FA Cup final in 2004.
“I am very happy to start a new chapter of my career with the New York Red Bulls,” Cahill said. “As we have seen over the past few years, MLS has developed into a very competitive league with many talented players. I am impressed with what the Red Bulls are trying to accomplish in MLS and within American soccer and I am looking forward to this new challenge. I will do everything I can to help bring New York its first MLS Cup.”
