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Red Bulls Sign a "Lighthouse from Philadelphia"

Erik Soler's been wheeling and dealing. The day after he swaps Mehdi Ballouchy for an international spot and a draft pick and just a few days after he signs Tim Cahill and cuts Ryan Maduro, here comes some much needed defensive help.

The New York Post's Brian Lewis is reporting the Red Bulls have signed Babajide Ogunbiyi, a Nigerian-American defender from Viborg FF of the Danish First Division and who was drafted by the team back in 2009.

If the name sounds familiar, it's because we profiled him over the winter as a solution to Hans Backe's desire the team pick up a physical centerback. Back then, he was described, by Viborg, as "big and very strong," "half American and half Nigerian muscle," and, as the headline indicates a "lighthouse from Philadelphia."

Not much is known on the deal yet, as the news has only broken on Twitter, but we assume Ogunbiyi is still a gigantic man and still plays defense.

Speculate away in the comments on what this means for Wilman Conde, Markus Holgersson, Stephen Keel and Tyler Ruthven (as well as the team itself).

UPDATE 7/31, 12:18: Here's the press release from the team.

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It would be have some weird full circle thing if Rochester native Ogunbiyi debuted against Tottenham in the game that I drove from Rochester and back to see.

by coys_from_wny on Aug 1, 2025 1:36 PM EDT reply actions  

Bye bye Mehdi.

@DigDeepNYR
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "The arsonist has oddly shaped feet." - Ron Burgundy
Blueshirt Banter

by Dig Deep on Aug 3, 2025 10:31 AM EDT reply actions  


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