Red Bull New York announced today that forward Macoumba Kandji has signed a contract with Major League Soccer and will be part of the Red Bulls' roster in 2009. Per MLS and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"We liked what we saw from Mac during his time on loan with us," said Red Bull New York Sporting Director Jeff Agoos. "Mac has shown that he is capable of playing at a higher level and we look forward to his contribution in the future."

Kandji originally joined the club on loan from the United Soccer League First Division’s Atlanta Silverbacks on Sept. 15, 2008. To acquire Kandji on a permanent basis, the Red Bulls paid an undisclosed transfer fee. He made MLS debut on Sept. 27 vs. Colorado, coming on as a sub in the first of his five appearances, which included two starts.  The Dakar, Senegal native scored his first MLS goal on the road at the Chicago Fire on Oct. 23, and assisted on two others over his 270 minutes of action.  He was among the 18 in each of New York’s four playoff matches, coming on as a sub in the series clinching win at the Houston Dynamo as well as the MLS Cup Final.

The 2008 MLS Cup Finalist Red Bulls open their MLS regular season on March 19 against the expansion Seattle Sounders FC at Quest Field in Seattle, WA at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN2 and ESPNDeportes and locally on WADO 1280 AM.  New York will open its home schedule on March 28, hosting rival New England Revolution at 7:30 PM ET at Giants Stadium.  For tickets, please call 1.877.RBSOCCER or log onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.

www.newyorkredbulls.com