The New York Red Bulls became the second Major League Soccer team to acquire a player using the new designated player rule on Wednesday as former U.S. men's national team captain Claudio Reyna signed with the club. The 33-year-old midfielder will join his hometown club after a long and successful career in Europe.
"I am pleased that Claudio has agreed to sign with our club," said Red Bulls sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena, who coached Reyna with the U.S. national team and the University of Virginia. "Claudio is a proven player at the highest levels in the game and his experience and leadership skills will improve our team. I'm excited to have him as a member of the Red Bulls."
A native of Springfield, N.J., Reyna comes to MLS from Manchester City of the English Premier League. He played 77 matches for that club between 2003 and 2007, starting in 69. Reyna also played for Sunderland when that club was in England's top flight following stints in the German Bundesliga (Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg) and the Scottish Premier League (Glasgow Rangers).
"I'm very excited to be coming back to play at home minutes from where I grew up," said Reyna. "I look forward to playing for Bruce, who I have known for such a long time, and am excited about the whole opportunity to join a club that is looking to do a lot of good things in the future."
Though Reyna has never previously played in MLS, American fans are well aware of his talents from his time with the U.S. team. He earned 112 caps during his tenure, which is fourth most in U.S. history, and is one of only two players to be included on four U.S. World Cup rosters.
Reyna captained the USA at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, helping the Stars & Stripes to an historic quarterfinal run in the former. For his efforts in Korea, Reyna earned a spot on the FIFA World Cup All-Star First Team. He is the only U.S. player ever to have achieved that honor.
Prior to his professional career, Reyna led the Virginia Cavaliers to three consecutive NCAA titles (1991-1993) alongside Arena. He was named the Soccer America Player of the Year in both 1992 and 1993 and was a three-time NSCAA All-American.