The New York Red Bulls are finalizing a deal to sign Mexican winger Jorge Ruvalcaba from Pumas, sources briefed on the situation tell The Athletic.
Ruvalcaba, 24, was born in the United States but has one cap with the Mexican national team after representing El Tri at the youth level. The winger had five goals and three assists in 15 Liga MX Apertura appearances for Pumas but has yet to score in the Clausura season, which began earlier this month. He is a product of the clubโs academy, making 99 first-team appearances. The Red Bulls have one open designated player spot behind Emil Forsberg and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, which Ruvalcaba could potentially occupy if the signing comes to fruition.
His signing would continue the Red Bullsโ roster evolution under head of sport Julian de Guzman, who brought in U.S. great Michael Bradley to be the clubโs new manager. Under Bradley, the Red Bulls want to play with more width and use the ball more than in previous seasons, an area where Ruvalcaba would be expected to shine.
Already this offseason, the Red Bulls have signed winger Cade Cowell, center back Robert Voloder and right back Justin Che and Thursday announced the signing of U.S. goalkeeper Ethan Horvath on a free transfer. Elsewhere,ย Daniel Edelman (St. Louis), Peter Stroud (Minnesota), Sean Nealis (D.C. United) and Carlos Coronel (free agency, signed with Sรฃo Paulo) are among those who left to make way for the new signings.
