Red Bulls sign Obekop to MLS contract, waive Bustamante

The New York Red Bulls are not done shifting the roster.

The team announced Marius Obekop being signed (again) and Michael Bustamante being placed on waivers.

Per league rules, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Obekop was first signed by the Red Bulls in March of 2013, and made seven appearances as a substitute over the last two years. The Cameroonian’s option was not picked up after the 2014 season. He spent the 2015 preseason with the Red Bulls as a trialist before signing an MLS deal. Obekop has appeared for the Cameroon Under-17 and U-20 national teams, notably scoring 16 goals in 30 appearances for the U-17 side.

Bustamante, a first-round pick in the 2013 MLS Supplemental draft, made four regular-season appearances in 2013 and contributed one assist. He did not appear for the Red Bulls in 2014 after undergoing season-ending surgery in August.

Obekop was expected to return to the club, considering he stuck around for off-season camp and was wished a happy birthday on the team's official Twitter account after his option wasn't picked up. However, it was expected that he would sign with NYRBII in USL. The press release makes it very clear that he is on a MLS contract, although one expects that he will spend plenty of time with the reserve team. Obekop has tons of potential, but needs match experience and to become more specialized at either striker or left wing.

Bustamante, from Boston University, made inroads into the lineup, but was never able to establish a solid place.

Are you excited for Obekop to be back? Do you expect Bustamante will sign with the USL club?