The New York Red Bulls have signed midfielder Marc Rzatkowski to a new contract after declining an option on his loan deal last month, the club announced Thursday.
The 28-year-old German, who spent last season on loan from Red Bull Salzburg, was signed using Targeted Allocation Money and is on a free transfer.
A year ago, Rzatkowski earned $976,166.66 in total compensation, per the MLS Players Association.
“We are pleased to complete this signing and bring Marc back to New York,” Red Bulls sporting director Denis Hamlett said in a statement. “Marc played an important role for us last year and we expect those contributions to continue in 2019.”
The versatile Rzatkowski saw time as a winger and in the center of the park a year ago, starting 16 of the 24 league matches he appeared in. He scored a pair of goals and added seven assists. Both goals came in a seven-minute span in a come-from-behind win over Sporting Kansas City on July 14 at Red Bull Arena.
Rzatkowski will likely see an increased role this year with Tyler Adams’ transfer to RB Leipzig and Kaku’s possible move to Club America in Liga MX.
“Marc showed his value and quality throughout last year, and we’re happy to have him back on a permanent basis,” Red Bulls coach Chris Armas said. “Marc adds experience, intelligence, and a competitive edge that is needed in our squad. He also has integrated so well with everyone and fits in perfectly with our culture and the way we work.”
Before joining the Red Bulls last January, Rzatkowski, who has 34 goals and 48 assists as a professional, spent two seasons with Red Bull Salzburg and four years with FC St. Pauli. He began his career in the academy of hometown club VfL Bochum before signing his first professional contract in 2009.
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