The New York Red Bulls are picking up the 2024 option of midfielder Dru Yearwood’s contract with the intent to trade him to another team within Major League Soccer this winter, a source with knowledge of the situation told amNewYork on Friday.
Unable to carve out consistent playing time in a crowded midfield that saw the emergence of Omir Fernandez this season, the 23-year-old Englishman appeared in just 20 MLS matches, making 11 starts. The central midfielder who enjoys playing an aggressive brand of attacking soccer did not record a single goal or assist this season.
Yearwood, still just 23 years old, made the jump to the United States before the 2020 season after featuring for English Championship side Brentford — a squad that currently sits in 11th place in the Premier League. He became a regular in the MLS side the following year, recording a goal and an assist in 29 MLS appearances. He added two goals and an assist in 2022.
Prior to the 2023 campaign, Yearwood obtained his Green Card to become a permanent resident of the United States, meaning he no longer took up an international roster spot on the Red Bulls’ team sheet.
New York is working on a second notable trade already this offseason. On Monday, they sent forward Tom Barlow to the Chicago Fire for $400,000 in general allocation money (GAM). A similar deal for Yearwood will allow the Red Bulls to open up some more cash for an offseason that is going to bring sweeping changes.
While the club searches for a new manager after letting go of Troy Lesesne, it is expected to sign Swedish international midfielder Emil Forsberg, who will make the move from New York’s sister side, Red Bull Leipzig, in the German Bundesliga.
The Red Bulls also exercised the contract options on defender Cameron Harper and midfielder Wiki Carmona. They declined options on defenders Matt Nocita, Hassan Ndam, and Jayden Reid, along with midfielder Steven Sserwadda.
