Tweet
This youth was such a terror at River Plate but he never quite adjusted to the Premiership... MLS need fi stop repeat mistakes of the past wid dem 30+ yo stars coming in to make big money...
Updated: April 17, 2007
Angel completes move to New York Red Bulls
Colombia striker Juan Pablo Angel has joined Major League Soccer outfit New York Red Bulls from Aston Villa.
The 31-year-old, who cost Villa £9.5million when they bought him from River Plate in Argentina in 2001, is thought to have signed a two-year contract with the American club.
He joins former Manchester City midfielder and USA captain Claudio Reyna in New Jersey.
The terms of Angel's move will remain undisclosed, such is MLS policy, though it had been thought Red Bulls were prepared in effect to take over the final year of his Villa contract - worth around £40,000 a week - plus another 12-month deal on top for the 31-year-old.
The Colombian joins as the team's second designated player alongside Reyna.
He scored 62 goals in 205 appearances for the midlanders. Angel admitted his failure to command a regular starting berth at Villa Park following the arrivals of Ashley Young and John Carew in the January transfer window had played a part in his decision.
'It has been frustrating not being in the team but there have been a lot of changes at the club and there has been a new owner (American Randy Lerner),' he told mlsnet.com.
'I got a good start to the season and scored a couple of goals. But the club is in the process of changing a lot of things and I got the chance to speak to the manager as I wasn't playing on a regular basis
'I am a player who needs to play football.
'I started to ask questions of the manager (Martin O'Neill) about whether there was a chance to have a look at this opportunity. He basically gave me the green light.'
Despite that Angel looked back on his time in England with affection and thanked O'Neill.
He said: 'I would like to thank Martin O'Neill, Aston Villa and especially the supporters who have always made me feel so welcome and I will always have great memories of my time at the club. I wish the club well for the future.'
The New York club are coached by Bruce Arena and the Colombian admitted he was looking forward to join up with the former USA coach.
'With big names like David Beckham going to the league, when I had the chance to talk to Bruce Arena I thought it was a great opportunity for me,' he said.
'The fact that MLS is making the effort to bring the big players is great.
'I want to be part of it and once I made my decision there was no turning back for me.
'Since I was very young I have travelled to America, the country is fantastic. But the main reason for me is to be there is to be part of a successful team.'
Arena was also pleased with the deal, insisting he had landed his main transfer target.
He said: 'I am thrilled about acquiring Juan Pablo for the New York Red Bulls.
'It is no secret that we have been searching for a striker since the end of the 2006 season, and Juan Pablo has been at the top of my list since day one.
'To bring him here is a great situation for both Juan Pablo personally and the Red Bulls. I believe in time he will prove to be an excellent addition to our team.'
Updated: April 17, 2007
Angel completes move to New York Red Bulls
Colombia striker Juan Pablo Angel has joined Major League Soccer outfit New York Red Bulls from Aston Villa.
The 31-year-old, who cost Villa £9.5million when they bought him from River Plate in Argentina in 2001, is thought to have signed a two-year contract with the American club.
He joins former Manchester City midfielder and USA captain Claudio Reyna in New Jersey.
The terms of Angel's move will remain undisclosed, such is MLS policy, though it had been thought Red Bulls were prepared in effect to take over the final year of his Villa contract - worth around £40,000 a week - plus another 12-month deal on top for the 31-year-old.
The Colombian joins as the team's second designated player alongside Reyna.
He scored 62 goals in 205 appearances for the midlanders. Angel admitted his failure to command a regular starting berth at Villa Park following the arrivals of Ashley Young and John Carew in the January transfer window had played a part in his decision.
'It has been frustrating not being in the team but there have been a lot of changes at the club and there has been a new owner (American Randy Lerner),' he told mlsnet.com.
'I got a good start to the season and scored a couple of goals. But the club is in the process of changing a lot of things and I got the chance to speak to the manager as I wasn't playing on a regular basis
'I am a player who needs to play football.
'I started to ask questions of the manager (Martin O'Neill) about whether there was a chance to have a look at this opportunity. He basically gave me the green light.'
Despite that Angel looked back on his time in England with affection and thanked O'Neill.
He said: 'I would like to thank Martin O'Neill, Aston Villa and especially the supporters who have always made me feel so welcome and I will always have great memories of my time at the club. I wish the club well for the future.'
The New York club are coached by Bruce Arena and the Colombian admitted he was looking forward to join up with the former USA coach.
'With big names like David Beckham going to the league, when I had the chance to talk to Bruce Arena I thought it was a great opportunity for me,' he said.
'The fact that MLS is making the effort to bring the big players is great.
'I want to be part of it and once I made my decision there was no turning back for me.
'Since I was very young I have travelled to America, the country is fantastic. But the main reason for me is to be there is to be part of a successful team.'
Arena was also pleased with the deal, insisting he had landed his main transfer target.
He said: 'I am thrilled about acquiring Juan Pablo for the New York Red Bulls.
'It is no secret that we have been searching for a striker since the end of the 2006 season, and Juan Pablo has been at the top of my list since day one.
'To bring him here is a great situation for both Juan Pablo personally and the Red Bulls. I believe in time he will prove to be an excellent addition to our team.'
Comment