Red Bulls sign Midfielder Izquierdo

Every time we talk about midfielders here on Once A Metro, we link to this story about how thin the middle of the field is for the Red Bulls.

In all honesty, it seems almost tedious at this point to remind readers that -- up until today -- the Red Bull, still, only had six midfielders on the roster, one of them being Brandon Barklage, who's really a defender.

So with today's signing of Spanish midfielder Ruben Izquierdo from Charlton Athletic, I really should be writing a thank you note to Mike Petke, Andy Roxburgh, et al., because the move really shores up a squad looking for help between the defenders and the forwards (I'm running out of euphemisms for "midfield.")

The 20-year-old Izquierdo can play on either wing and is being described as an "intersting" player with "a lot of potential" and a nice work ethic.

The Spaniard was brought on at the start of camp as a "guest player" (read: trialist) and yesterday in the Red Bulls' 3-2 win over Swedish Malmo FF, assisted on the tying goal late in the game. It was thought he'd come over on a loan, but it appears Roxburgh sprung for the full transfer.

Izquierdo joins the team after a whirlwind tour of England after leaving Spain and La Liga side RCD Mallorca's youth academy. In 2009, he signed with Conference side Kidderminster Harriers, before being scooped up by Division I South side Halesowen Town for the 2010-11 season. The next year, he joined Charlton after a trial with Queens Park Rangers. For 2011-12, he was loaned to Spanish third division side CD San Roque de Lepe where he scored one goal in 10 apperances.