Red Bull New York locked up its biggest star to a new contract.
Julian Hall, the extraordinary 18-year-old striker who has become a household name for soccer fans this season, signed a four-year MLS contract through the 2029-30 season, occupying a U-22 initiative spot on the Red Bulls’ roster. Hall is now the youngest player in MLS history to sign a U-22 initiative deal at 18 years, 156 days old.
The Manhattan native’s deal with the Red Bulls had been set to expire next winter, The Athletic reported, and the new one puts in place a mechanism for the MLS club to be in a good position when the highly touted player eventually moves on to the next stage of his career.
“This club has been a huge part of my development, and I’m grateful for everyone who has believed in me and helped me get to this point,” Hall said in a statement released through the Red Bulls. “I feel like I’m continuing to grow as a player, and I’m excited to keep working, keep improving and help this team achieve our goals.”
Hall has been nothing short of impressive this season, recording 12 goals and five assists across all competitions and becoming the youngest player to record a hat trick in MLS history when he did so in a May 13 win over the Crew.
The impressive campaign has drawn the attention of a number of European clubs that are showing interest in bringing the teen overseas.
Marseille of France’s Ligue 1, Newcastle United of England’s Premier League, Atletico Madrid of Spain’s La Liga, Red Bull Leipzig — owned by Red Bull New York’s parent company Red Bull GmbH — and Premier League side Hull City are all said to be interested in Hall, amNewYork reported.
The new deal with the Red Bulls will keep Hall from leaving the club for free like he would if he departed after his current contract expired.
In an interview with ESPN, Hall said that “as a kid it’s always been a dream to go to Europe,” but his focus right now is to “help the team and progress forward.”
Hall’s international services are still up in the air, with Poland having attempted to recruit him to play for its national team, which he is eligible to play for through his heritage and his time going through the U.S. youth national team program.
In a conversation with The Post earlier this month, head of Sport Julian de Guzman said that he “would not be surprised if Julian gets called up to a senior men’s national team before the end of this year.”
