Former Cranes skipper Ibrahim Ssekagya is on the verge of crossing from Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg to sister club New York Red Bulls in US.
According to New York Post, Ssekagya arrived at the club on Tuesday and trained with the club under the watchful eye of Coach Mike Petke who was impressed.
“We have a player from Salzburg. The (Austrian) season is over. We have a player on trial just playing with us from Salzburg,’’ Coach Mike Petke said after practice at the Red Bulls’ new training facility in Hanover, NJ. When asked if it was a trial or merely a player staying in shape during the offseason, he specified it was the former.
“It’s someone that’s been on radar, someone that from preseason on we were looking to get in to have a look at to see what his options are as well as what our options are, and we’re able to do that right now. Really, call it whatever you want. Obviously if anyone comes over and trains with us and impresses us, (and) we feel they can be good, we try to make things happen.’’
Ssekagya signed with Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg back in June 2007 and has become a stalwart of the Austrian Bundesliga power.
Petke praised the 6-foot-1 as a player who can play anywhere across the back four and added there was no timeframe on how long the latter’s trial would extend.
“No timeframe. It’s his first day here. He’s in good shape, so it’s not like we have to wait and see how good of a shape he’s in,’’ said Petke. “He’s coming off a season and it’s just options to have. Of course there’s things like (the) salary cap; but we’re happy just to have him in and see what he can do.’’
The list of players that the Red Bulls have gotten from their Salzburg sister club has been underwhelming, from Markus Schopp to Ernst Öbster to Brian Nielsen. Ssekagya has a long way to go before he’s even signed, but he’s got an accomplished pedigree and lengthy resume.
If he is signed, the former KCC FC and Arsenal De Sarandi star will have the opportunity to become a team mate of one of soccer’s great players in history Thiery Henry.
Ssekagya has made 148 appearances for the Austrian club.
We shall keep you posted on the development.
