On an early Thursday morning at the training facility in Hanover, New Jersey, the official news broke as we all expected it to happen as the New York Red Bulls knew this day was coming to transfer their young up-and-coming superstar to their German sister club. Caden Clark who has been dazzling since he was called up from the USL Bulls in the middle of last season has officially been transferred to the German Bundesliga to join other former New York Red Bulls Tyler Adams and head coach Jesse Marsch at Red Bull Leipzig for their 2021-22 season.
“Everyone at the club is very excited for Caden to take the next step in his professional journey,” said Head of Sport Kevin Thelwell. “From the time Caden joined us, I think we all recognized that if he continued to work hard and take advantage of his opportunities, Caden had the potential to move to Europe. We’re delighted to have played a role and helped him make the jump to a top-five league like the Bundesliga.”
Clark will be allowed to remain with the New York Red Bulls, till the end of the season, which means he will have the same type of exit that happened for Tyler Adams before he moved to Europe and started to dazzle over there. We remember Clark’s first MLS goal coming off the substitutes bench against Atlanta United at Mercedes Ben Stadium when he took a rebound chance and smashed it past Brad Guzan, then the next road match against Toronto FC at Rentschler Field in Hartford, Connecticut as he came off the bench and sent a long-distance rip into the near upper 90 that saw Danny Royer put his hands on top of his head in disbelief.
The MEdina, Minnesota native signed with the club as a 16-year-old and joined Red Bulls II in USL Championship in 2020, he scored three goals, and five assists in 12 matches and showed early on he was a big prospect for the club and within Red Bull global soccer. He got his first-team contract with the big club back on October 12, 2020. Since then he has been lighting up the net like there is no tomorrow.
“Caden is a big talent and we are happy to see him take the next step in his career,” said Head Coach Gerhard Struber. “He is a hard-working kid and has a bright future ahead of himself” He was on a four-game home goal-scoring streak till it was snapped against Nashville SC on June 18th, now recovering from Appendectomy surgery, we hope he will get his red hot form back once fully fit.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that the New York Red Bulls have given me,” said Clark. “Being able to not only develop but play significant minutes at USL and MLS here has truly helped me grow professionally. I will continue to do what I can to help this team win its first MLS Cup.”
To notice how special of a player Caden Clark is, his name has already been on the list of two provisional rosters for the US Men’s National Team in the recently played Olympic Qualifiers and now the CONCACAF Gold Cup. While still a teenager, it shows how important of a player he is to the future for current head coach Gregg Berhalter and US Soccer. Until he gets his chance to play for his country, Clark will be allowed to finish his MLS season before his time in the big league in Germany.
But now it’s time to wait for Clark to return to the lineup and watch him continue to grow within our eyes as the next American superstar to grace the pitch here, then do it abroad, and one day wear the colors of the Red, White, and Blue once he gets that special moment. good luck Caden Clark.