Red Bull New York announced Monday that it has signed its Designated Player and 2007 MLS Most Valuable Player finalist, Juan Pablo Angel, to a multi-year contract extension. Per club and League regulations, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"We're thrilled to have come to an agreement with Juan Pablo," said Red Bull New York Managing Director Erik Stover. "During his two years in New York, Juan Pablo has established himself as the top forward in the League. He has shown a tremendous commitment to this club both on and off the field. We're excited to have him lead our team in the coming years as we compete for a MLS Cup championship."
"I'm very excited to extend my contract with the Red Bulls," Angel said. "As I have said in the past, I think that the League is very competitive and is growing every year. Red Bull has shown me that they are dedicated to improving the club and the quality of the sport year after year and I am looking forward to be a part of it as we move into a brand new stadium next season."
Angel, a two-time MLS All-Star, has scored 33 goals in just 47 games since signing with New York on April 17, 2007 as a Designated Player. The former Aston Villa and River Plate (Argentina) forward missed seven games in 2008 due to injury, but still tallied an Eastern Conference-leading 14 goals in 23 regular season games. After leading the Red Bulls to their sixth-straight playoff appearance, Angel scored two goals in New York's 4-1 aggregate goal win over two-time defending champion, the Houston Dynamo, last November. Two weeks later, Angel captained the first-ever Red Bulls side to qualify for the MLS Cup Final.
In his first season, the 33-year-old was a MLS Best XI selection after scoring 19 goals and five assists in 24 games. A finalist for the MLS MVP and Newcomer of the Year award, Angel was a two-time MLS Player of the Month (May & June), was the leading vote getter in the MLS All-Star Game and broke the club's record of 16 for goals in a single season set by Adolfo Valencia in 2000. Angel, who leads all MLS players in goals scored over the past two seasons, starts the 2009 season just nine goals shy of breaking the club record for regular season goals scored.
Angel started his career for Colombian side, Nacional Medellin, where he played from 1993-97. He starred for Argentinean power, River Plate, from 1997-2000, before transferring to Aston Villa. Angel has earned 33 caps for the Colombian National Team.
The 2008 MLS Cup Finalist Red Bulls open their MLS regular season on March 19 against the expansion Seattle Sounders FC at Quest Field in Seattle, WA at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN2 and ESPNDeportes and WADO 1280 AM. New York will open its home schedule on March 28, hosting rival New England Revolution at 7:30 PM ET at Giants Stadium. For tickets, please call 1.877.RBSOCCER or log onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.
