New York Red Bulls Add Noah Elie & Transfer Away Luqinhas

The New York Red Bulls have made three back-to-back-to-back  moves ahead of the 2024 MLS season. Red Bulls have added two young talents to their first team roster as well as transferring away a player to open up a Designated Player spot. Let’s check out these moves:

First, the Red Bulls have signed a U22 Initiative player in 21 year old centerback Noah Elie. The 6’5 defender joins the Red Bulls from Malmo FF where he won an Allsvenskan title in 2021. Elie has 56 career games played between Malmo and a loan stint he had with Mjallby AIF. In those games, the youngster has scored 1 goal and added 5 assists. With the lack of Red Bull’s depth at centerback, Elie looks like he could fit in as a starter almost immediately with the club. I am excited to see how this new U22 signing fits in with the likes of Sean Nealis, Andres Reyes, and a young core of potential on that backline. 

As I mentioned, the Red Bulls also opened up a Designated Player spot. The “DP” spot opens up on their roster after the club transferred Luqinhas to Brazilian club Fortaleza. The 27 year old attacking midfielder never really got his footing with the Red Bulls to deserve that high roster designation spot, in my opinion. In 70 games with the Red Bulls, Luqinhas scored 10 goals and recorded 14 assists. This now allows new manager Sandro Schwarz an opportunity to add his own Designated Player alongside the current DPs on the roster; Emil Forsberg and Dante Vanzeir. 

Lastly, the Red Bulls have signed a new HomeGrown talent in Roald Mitchell. Mitchell is headed to the Red Bulls after a highly successful season with the NCAA. Mitchell is one of the few players who was able to play within the USL Championship as well as play in the NCAA. In 10 career games for the New York Red Bulls II, Mitchell has been able to score 2 goals and record 2 assists. Mitchell now adds to a striker core of Dante Vanzeir, Elias Manoel, Corey Burke, and Tanner Rosbrough.