Thursday, January 30, 2020

Red Bulls Notebook: January 30

Red Bull Arena. Photo by Jason Schott.


In this latest edition of the Red Bulls Notebook, let's take a look at the latest around the MLS team as the season is fast approaching.


Red Bulls Sign English Right Back Mandela Egbo: On Thursday, the Red Bulls completed the transfer of English right back Mandela Egbo pending receipt of his ITC and P-1 visa. Egbo, 22, joins the Red Bulls from SV Darmstadt 98 in the 2. Bundesliga. Egbo will occupy an international spot on the Red Bulls roster.
 
"Mandela was identified through our scouting network as an outside back with a great pedigree and qualities that translate well to our style of play," said Red Bulls Sporting Director Denis Hamlett. "He's young but has a ton of professional games, and has spent time developing with big clubs in Europe. In speaking with Mandela we know he is excited and ready for an opportunity in MLS. We look forward to getting him into camp and getting him up to speed."

The English Youth International moved to SV Darmstadt 98 in July and has made six appearances for the 2. Bundesliga side, five starts in league play and an appearance in the German Cup, where he recorded an assist.
 
"I was able to watch Mandela play in person on my recent trip to Germany, and saw firsthand his quality and how he will fit into our philosophy," said Red Bulls head coach Chris Armas. "In meeting him and getting to know him, it's clear that he is a bright, driven young man that will fit well within our culture and our locker room."
 
Egbo, 22, signed with Borussia Mönchengladbach from the Crystal Palace academy in 2015, at the age of 17. Egbo became a regular for Mönchengladbach II, making 84 appearances over four seasons, recording three goals and five assists, and contributing to 31 clean sheets. He made his Bundesliga debut for Gladbach's senior team in February 2018, coming on as a sub in a 1-0 win over Hannover 96.
 
Internationally, Egbo represented England through the Under-18 level and helped England's Under-17 squad win the 2014 U-17 UEFA European Championship.
 
Transaction: New York Red Bulls sign Mandela Egbo to an MLS contract on January 30, 2020, pending receipt of his ITC and P-1 Visa.

Red Bulls Sign Denmark Goalkeeper David Jensen: A goalkeeper that brings Over 200 professional games of experience to the Red Bulls, David Jensen signed an MLS contract on Wednesday, pending receipt of his ITC and P-1 Visa, the club announced today. Jensen, 27, joins New York from FC Utrecht and brings over 200 games of professional experience. He will occupy an international spot on the Red Bulls roster.
 
Jensen, who has played professionally in both Denmark and the Netherlands, has been with FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie (Netherlands first-tier) for the last four seasons. The Denmark goalie has made 145 appearances for Utrecht with 33 shutouts across all competitions.
 
"David brings a wealth of professional experience to our club," said Red Bulls Sporting Director Denis Hamlett. "When scouting David, we were impressed with him on and off the field, we know he is a solid goalkeeper and we think he'll be great in our locker room too. We've got a strong group of goalkeepers to work together and push each other every day in training."
 
Jensen began his senior career with FC Nordsjaelland, a Superligaen (Denmark first-division) squad, in March of 2009. He made his debut on September 24, 2011 off the bench and finished with 27 clean sheets in 85 appearances.
 
"In speaking with David, I'm confident he'll be a great fit for our team," said Red Bulls head coach Chris Armas. "He is a veteran guy who knows what it takes to win. He brings a different type of experience to our group, having played at a high level in different parts of Europe. We look forward to getting David integrated into our team in the coming weeks."
 
Jensen featured for the Denmark Youth National team from the Under-16s through the Under-21s with 35 appearances, and has been part of senior national team camps as well. Jensen has been part of 18-man roster for Denmark for international friendlies and World Cup qualifiers.
 
Transaction: New York Red Bulls sign David Jensen to an MLS contract, pending receipt of his ITC and P-1 Visa, on January 29, 2020.

Front Office News: Red Bulls have announced the appointment of Kari Cohen as the club's General Counsel on Monday. After spending nearly nine years at BSE Global, which operates the Barclays Center, most recently as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, the highly respected sports veteran will now join the Executive Leadership Team of Major League Soccer's New York Founding Club.

Cohen will oversee all legal matters pertaining to Red Bull New York, Red Bull Arena and Red Bulls Academy. This involves identifying and leading legal matters in all departments across the company as well as regulatory, compliance and real estate matters and governmental affairs.
Cohen succeeds Djenaba Parker, who was promoted to the role of Senior Vice President and General Counsel with Red Bull North America.
"We are fortunate to have Kari join our club's Executive Leadership Team," said Marc de Grandpre, General Manager, New York Red Bulls. " Her extensive legal and business experience will be invaluable in furthering our significant growth across all facets of our organization from our first team, Red Bulls II, Academy and Red Bull Arena. Kari's impact on our sports and entertainment business will be immediate and a key to our future success."

Cohen was hired by BSE Global in June 2011 as Associate Counsel, was promoted to Counsel for Legal & Business Affairs, and then promoted to Vice President and Assistant General Counsel before becoming Deputy General Counsel.
Cohen was responsible for advising BSE's ownership, executive team, and employees on key legal matters for BSE's holdings.  As part of her duties, Cohen handled the negotiation and drafting of agreements with respect to suite licenses, ticketing, vendors, and naming rights/sponsorships for the Brooklyn Nets, New York Islanders, Barclays Center, NYCB Live Home of Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, and Webster Hall.  She was influential in securing the first sports betting sponsorship agreement for the Brooklyn Nets with FanDuel, and the first jersey patch sponsorship agreement for the Nets with Infor.  Cohen negotiated programming alliances for the Atlantic Coast Conference, Atlantic 10 Conference, National Collegiate Athletic Association, 2015 NBA All Star events, multiple NBA Drafts, Premier Boxing Champions, Live Nation, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, MTV Video Music Awards, and World Wrestling Entertainment. 
 
In addition to her legal role, Cohen was overseeing external affairs and governmental relations for the organization while interfacing as a registered lobbyist and point person with government officials on issues relating to the development of land surrounding NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, sports betting, liquor licensing, and arena cashless initiatives.
  
Prior to joining BSE Global, Cohen was an associate in the New Media, Entertainment, and Technology practice group at the law firm of Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP. 
 
Cohen graduated with honors from The George Washington University receiving degrees in Journalism and Political Science. She went on to attend law school at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law where she was the recipient of the Floersheimer Fellowship as well as senior editor for the Journal of Law and Literature. During law school, Cohen interned at Blue Equity and the NHL General Counsel's office.
 
Cohen, who is a member of the Sports Lawyers Association and a Regional Captain on its Outreach Committee, lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan with her husband Ben, and her two young sons.

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