New York Red Bulls II release Senegal youth international Cheikh M'Baye

One of NYRB II's more intriguing signings for the 2016 season has departed the USL club.

Cheikh M'Baye is a center back who has played for Senegal's U-20 team. He joined Ligue 1 club Bordeaux in 2014, put in a few reserve team appearances, and then moved on to the New York Red Bulls' reserves in 2016. He managed five appearances for a total of 180 minutes for the II team.

M'Baye celebrated his 21st birthday on July 14. On July 15, he was officially a free agent. It is summer transfer season for many leagues around the world, and perhaps M'Baye has decided he's better off pursuing other options while options are plentiful.

Despite RBNY's seemingly constant need for CBs this season, M'Baye - possessed of a talent that won him youth international and Ligue 1 looks - never really entered the conversation. On the II team, Aaron Long is arguably the squad's most consistent center back. Zach Carroll was recently cut by RBNY and signed to the reserves, indicating the club's continued interest in developing the rookie defender. Tim Schmoll has also seen regular appearances.

M'Baye was mostly unused by NYRB II, and his departure is not entirely unexpected. His repeated absence from the USL team's match-day squads had started to attract attention.

@canetop better question, where is m'baye?

— B-Man (@brendan_joe) July 10, 2016