The Red Bulls have had a long history of producing young talent, and then seeing it slip away. Amando Moreno could be the latest in that trend, as the gifted teenager has left New York to join Mexican side Club Tijuana on a free transfer.
The 18-year-old striker announced the surprising move Wednesday via his Instagram account, including a photo of him wearing Xolos gear.
Considering Moreno was a homegrown signee, and one that had shown considerable promise, it was a shocking turn of events.
“Amando was out of contract and decided recently to decline our offer to stay with the club,’’ Red Bulls sporting director Andy Roxburgh said in a statement. “He and his agent chose to take this other opportunity.’’
Moreno’s agent said Roxburgh, coach Mike Petke and team exec Ricardo Campos had tried to keep the teenager, but the chance to vie for playing time in Mexico was too good to pass up.
“Congrats to @Amando_moreno on his move to Xolos. RBNY made every effort to keep him. Class from Andy, Ricardo and Mike,’’ Moreno’s agent Remy Cherin tweeted. “The Xolos opportunity came about and decided it was best option for his development and career.”
Agent Ron Waxman does not represent Moreno, but did facilitate the player’s move to Mexico and deal with Tijuana.
“Neither NYRB nor MLS exercised the option on his contract for 2014,’’ Waxman tweeted, confirming to The Post that Moreno was “a free player.’’
Moreno made $35,125 last season, according to figures from the MLS Players’ union, and as a homegrown prospect his salary did not count against the cap. If he returns to MLS, the Red Bulls would retain his rights.
“RBNY will retain his rights — Amando loves the club and would not like to return anywhere else in MLS,’’ Cherin tweeted.
Moreno signed with New York in December 2012, and despite being sparingly used in MLS play, he is a member of the U.S. Under-20 national team.
Now he belongs the latest in a long line of Americans to join Tijuana. It’s a list that includes Herculez Gomez, Joe Corona, Edgar Castillo, Paul Arriola and Greg Garza.