New York Red Bulls midfielder Frankie Amaya departs the club for Liga MX’s Toluca FC. The 23 year-old American midfielder spent the last three and a half years with Red Bull, playing in over 100 games across all competitions. Along the way he became an important part to a midfield that will now look to rebuild following his departure as well as as significant injury to Peter Stroud.
“Frankie has been an important member of our team over the last four years,” said Head of Sport Jochen Schneider. “We wish him and his family the best in the next step of his career.”
Rumors abound as to how high the transfer fee was for the young player. Tom Bogert of the Athletic reported that the fee may be upwards of 4 million. Such a haul for an MLS midfielder has to be seen as a decent compensation for losing an important player in a key part of the season.
Currently the Red Bulls are in third place in the Eastern Conference and riding an undefeated wave at Red Bull Arena, going into a pivotal meeting against rivals DC United on Saturday. Amaya’s absence will be missed as there is a significant lack of depth due to international call-ups and injuries in the midfield position. Moving forward the team will have to compensate with the loss, however there is a strong history of grooming young midfielders through the New York Red Bulls II system. Players like Ronald Donkor have already shown signs of promise in the position.
Amaya joined New York in 2021 after a stint with FC Cincinnati. The player was a the first overall pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, the first draft pick of the newly minted club in that year. Amaya also spent time with Orange County SC in the USL, making his time in US Soccer quite rounded before heading to Mexico.
No word yet on if New York will use the rumored transfer money to bring in a midfielder. There are rumblings that the Red Bulls are in the market for players, and more information should come as the transfer window opens in a few days.
photo by Matt Kremkau