Harrison, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) - Red Bull New York announced on Wednesday that the club has agreed to a deal with Belgian side Anderlecht that brings United States international midfielder Sacha Kljestan to Major League Soccer.
New York completed the move by using the top spot in the MLS allocation order, which the club acquired on Tuesday in a trade with the Montreal Impact.
Kljestan made his international debut in 2007 and was a regular under former head coach Bob Bradley on his way to earning 46 caps. He was part of the team that reached the 2009 Confederations Cup final before losing 3-2 to Brazil, and he also took part in World Cup qualifying matches prior to the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
"This was an extremely complicated transaction that we worked on over the last few weeks," said New York sporting director Ali Curtis. "There were multiple variables that needed to be managed during the process. Ultimately, we were able to reach a point where we could bring Sacha aboard. I am elated to have Sacha join the club. We are confident that he will have a positive impact on the field, in the community, and with our fans."
The 29-year-old Kljestan broke into MLS with Chivas USA in 2006, and he was voted to the MLS Best XI in 2008 after notching five goals and eight assists for Chivas.
Kljestan moved to Anderlecht in 2010 and went on to feature in 90 games for the Belgian side, including appearances in both the Champions League and Europa League.
The Red Bulls will begin their 2015 MLS campaign at Sporting Kansas City on March 8.
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