Reyna to join New York Red Bulls

Adjust font size:

NEW YORK -- Former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna has followed his England counterpart David Beckham into Major League Soccer by signing for the New York Red Bulls under the designated player rule.

Reyna, a 33-year-old midfielder, comes to MLS from Premier League side Manchester City and will be reunited at his hometown team with former U.S. national coach Bruce Arena, who also coached him at the University of Virginia.

"Claudio is a proven player at the highest levels in the game and his experience and leadership skills will improve our team," Arena said.

"I'm excited to have him as a member of the Red Bulls."

The Los Angeles Galaxy created international headlines with their signing of Beckham in a deal worth a possible $250 million over five years including sponsorship.

The designated player rule allows a club to pay a player above the MLS ceiling of $300,000. Terms for Reyna were not announced.

A New Jersey native, Reyna played 77 matches for Manchester City between 2003 and 2007. He also played for Sunderland when the club was in England's top flight following stints in the German Bundesliga (Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg) and the Scottish Premier League (Rangers).

"I'm very excited to be coming back to play at home minutes from where I grew up," said Reyna.

Reyna has earned 112 caps during his career, the fourth most in U.S. history and is one of only two players to have been included in four U.S. World Cup squads.

Reyna captained the U.S. team at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, helping them to an historic run to the quarterfinals in 2002 and earning a spot on the FIFA World Cup All-Star First Team -- the only U.S. player ever to have achieved that honor.

Before turning professional, Reyna led Virginia to three consecutive U.S. collegiate titles (1991-1993).

Obama on fiscal cliff: Congress, I warned you

---

• Report: MH370 a criminal investigation
• Ebola toll rises in 'unprecedented' outbreak
• Republicans hit a nerve over Obamacare
• NATO suspends cooperation with Moscow
• Will Caesars impress with Vegas High Roller?

• Romney to lunch with Obama
• Senators 'troubled' after Rice meeting
• Bergen: Senseless Benghazi obsession
• Ticker: RNC wants 'autopsy' of election
• LZ: For 2016, Bush vs. Clinton

• Talkin' 'Icky Thump' blues (1:40)
• 'Why you treat yourself bad?' (3:15)
• Soviet culture returns (3:47)
• Unseemly rap lyrics targeted (3:29)
• Now In The News