Rafael Marquez Joins the Red Bulls
After serving Barcelona for seven seasons, Mexican defender Rafael Marquez has left the Catalan club to play his football in Major League Soccer (MLS.)
On Monday, Marquez' transfer to the New York Red Bulls was finalised.
The deal was a welcome one for the Red Bulls, who had been pursuing Marquez' signature for some time.
And it was a profitable arrangement for the US club. Because Barcelona agreed to terminate Marquez' current contract, the 31-year-old was able to leave the club on a free transfer.
“Rafael has shown on the club and international level that he is one of the world’s top players,” said the head of Red Bull Global Soccer, Dietmar Beiersdorfer, in a press release.
“We are thrilled that he decided to come to the Red Bulls at this time in his career.”
European Beginnings
Marquez originally moved to Europe in 1999 to play for French side Monaco, for whom he made 87 appearances between then and 2003.
His clever positioning and aerial ability attracted the attention of Barcelona, who signed him for €5 million in the summer of 2003.
At Monaco, Marquez had also exhibited his precise passing and accuracy from dead balls – rather unusual traits for a central defender.
Marquez paired Carlos Puyol in the centre of defence at the Catalan club, winning four league titles and the Champions League twice, in 2006 and 2009.
“I am excited to be joining the Red Bulls,” Marquez said to the press on Monday.
Terminated Barcelona Contract
Even though he had extended his Barcelona contract from 2010 to 2012, the Mexican national team captain opted to leave prematurely to join the Red Bulls.
“Despite having the opportunity to fulfill my contract with Barcelona, coming to New York and playing in Major League Soccer was a chance that I could not refuse," said Marquez.
Marquez will reunite with former teammate Thierry Henry on the Red Bulls team, who also joined from Barcelona in June.
With former Premier League striker Juan Pablo Angel already playing for the team, the New York side will prove a force to be reckoned with during the coming season.
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