RB Leipzig snap up exciting US prospect Caden Clark after just 15 games in MLS

Stefan Bienkowski

• Updated: 24 Jun 2021 16:39 BST
• 3 min read

RB Leipzig have completed the signing of 18-year-old attacking midfielder Caden Clark from New York Red Bulls.

The American talent joined the Bundesliga outfit on a three-year deal and will immediately return to the MLS side on loan.

"Caden Clark has fantastic skills and enormous potential. He can play anywhere across attacking midfield and is incredibly adaptable in his playing style,” said RB Leipzig technical director Christopher Vivell in the club’s announcement.

Trending

Which football managers have been sacked this season?

Premier League managers: Full list of current bosses

What are the most expensive transfers of all time? The 50 highest fees in history

“As well as that, he is a scoring threat, has great passing quality and strikes the ball well, allowing him to score goals from range. These skills make him a perfect fit for our playing philosophy."

Florian Scholz, the commercial director of Sport at RB Leipzig, added: "In Caden Clark, we have once again pulled off the signing of a highly talented young player and have been able to tie him down for the long term.

“This signing completes another piece to our puzzle for our squad planning at an early stage. We decided that a loan back would allow Caden, at just 18 years old, a whole season in the MLS before he joins us here at Leipzig."

Who is new RB Leipzig signing Caden Clark?

Clark was born in Medina, Minnesota and played for local youth club Minnesota Thunder before joining Barcelona’s US-based academy in Arizona at the age of 14.

After three years under the tutelage of the Spanish club’s youth academy, Clark was then signed up by New York Red Bulls for $75,000 and made his debut for the MLS club in 2020 at the age of 17.

As an attacking midfielder, Clark can play on both wings or as a traditional No.10 in the middle of the pitch, where he picked up no less than six goals in 12 games in the American top-flight before attracting the interest of RB Leipzig.