New York Red Bulls have loaned out defender Juan Jose Mina to CF Estrela da Amadora for one year with an option to buy the player. The move comes after Mina failed to make the first team and recently found himself out of the reserve side New York Red Bulls II as well.
“We believe this is the best opportunity for Juan to continue his development,” said Sporting Director Julian de Guzman.
Mina joined New York just one year ago from Deportivo Cali and has only featured for Red Bulls II over that time. In total he made 12 appearances for the MLS Next Pro side and 26 appearances with his former club in Colombia.
In some circles, Mina was viewed as a potential starter. The club had returned the likes of Kyle Duncan to the squad but Mina’s acquisition was seen as a developmental project that would produce a future starter. Unfortunately that did not happen as Mina failed to impress the Troy Lesesne and then new head coach Sandro Schwarz. Instead Dylan Nealis and even winger Cameron Harper have patrolled the position alongside fellow defensive back John Tolkin.
CF Estrela da Amadora currently plays in the first division of Portuguese soccer, giving Mina another chance to prove himself before either returning to the club next August, or being sold outright in that transfer window.