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It had been suggested Amir Murillo would be officially joining the New York Red Bulls last week, but he celebrated his 21st birthday at home in Panama.
The defender's transfer to RBNY had been reported as a certainty by the Panamanian press, but clearly the predicted schedule for his move to the USA was not quite right.
But it does seem Murillo's journey to America was merely delayed, not derailed. Reporting that he had to wait for his visa to be issued before traveling, MiDiario.com advises Murillo has finally made the trip to New York. A senior executive at his Panamanian club, San Francisco, is said to have confirmed the deal is a loan for one year with an option to buy for 2018.
Según una fuente del "Big Four" del Sanfra según el plan hoy debía viajar Amir Murillo para unirse al NY Red Bulls a préstamo por un año.
— Edgardo Vidal (@EVidal1507) February 15, 2017
Eagle-eyed RNY fans have already noted that Murillo's Instagram account thinks he is in New Jersey, at the sort of place a soccer player might visit if he need to complete a medical prior to signing a new contract.
I'd expect an announcement shortly. #RBNY pic.twitter.com/8qH6z4AJ7a
— Fernando Gonzalez (@Jerzyiroc) February 15, 2017
The Red Bulls are currently in Arizona for preseason training, but the first team and coaching staff are expected to return home after the February 15 friendly against NYCFC. The announcement of new member of the MLS squad would seem a reasonable expectation before RBNY's season-opener on February 22.