Coach Hans Backe said the Red Bulls’ failed to come to terms with an experienced midfielder they had been targeting, but confirmed New York will sign Victor Palsson. The Icelandic Under-21 international is still considered a guest player, but is expected to join the Red Bulls in time for their departure to Mexico.
“We will of course get Palsson in as a central midfield player, I think that probably will be the last midfielder,’’ Backe said of the 20-year-old defensive midfielder, who forced his way into the starting lineup at Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League.
“He brings definitely a lot of size, physical strength and an enormous hard-worker. But also he’s a good passer of the ball; the passing game is quite good. Those kind of characters in Iceland, they are like beasts working for 90 minutes. He brings a lot of physical strength, the right attitude to a team. I am very curious to see him. I haven’t seen him that much, but everybody speaks very highly about him.’’
Palsson came up with AGF Aarhus, but was sold to English Premier League team Liverpool in 2009. He played for their reserves and was named team captain, but never cracked the first team and eventually moved on to Hibernian.
“That had him in Liverpool. And playing 40 games as a regular for Hibernian, even if the Scottish league is not the best one, but as a 19-year-old that says something,’’ said Backe. “And I know Roy Hodgson fancied him quite well. He brought him up to the first team roster when he took over at Liverpool. He can go box-to-box, but typically more of one of two holding (midfielders) centrally.’’