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Rumor: New York Red Bulls Sign Amobi Okugo

The former Philadephia Union, Orlando City, and SKC defender looks to be extending his stay in New York.

Okugo bundles through Mix Diskerud, endearing him to Red Bulls fans everywhere.
Okugo bundles through Mix Diskerud, endearing him to Red Bulls fans everywhere.
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Red Bulls complete lack of defensive depth might be at an end, at least for now.

This morning, Amobi Okugo, who has been in camp with the Red Bulls on trial for the last few week, appeared on New York Red Bulls II's official roster page on the official USL site. Even more interesting is the fact that his last team is listed as the New York Red Bulls, implying any place on the USL roster would only be as a loan.

Okugo USL

A screenshot of Okugo on the roster before USL changed the page, removing him.

This, in turn, spurred on the obvious rumor that Okugo has finally signed with the Red Bulls, hopefully ending the team's defensive shortcoming at centerback brought upon by injuries to Damien Perrinelle, Gideon Baah, Ronald Zubar, and Kemar Lawrence. Okugo's potential signing would immediately place him into the starting lineup alongside Karl Ouimette at centerback.

If Okugo does indeed join the Red Bulls, this will be his fourth MLS team in seven years in the league. The 25 year-old was with the Philadephia Union for five years, racking up 127 appearances and becoming a mainstay for the Chester based team's lineup. In 2015, Okugo, who was rumored to be looking at Europe at the time, was traded to Orlando City for allocation money and a draft pick. There he played 17 times, before being traded again to Sporting Kansas City for Servando Carrasco, and ultimately being released at the end of the year, with his high salary being a point of contention.