Red Bulls confirm three signings, draft intentions; Kassel, team close to deal

After a quiet beginning to the offseason, the New York Red Bulls announced they have signed three players on Wednesday, less than 24 hours ahead of the 2011 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.

Red Bulls General Manager Erik Soler confirmed that English striker Luke Rodgers and Norwegian midfielder Jan Gunnar Solli, who have long been rumored to be added to the club, have officially joined the fold.

Soler also announced the signing of 20-year-old Brazilian attacker Marcos Paullo from Atletico Paranaense, the same club for which reigning league MVP David Ferreira used to play.

Paullo, who Soler said can play a number of attacking positions, was on trial with the Red Bulls over the summer. Soler also indicated on a conference call that the team is looking to address needs at right back and centerback in Thursday's draft and that the club is close to coming to terms with homegrown player and University of Maryland midfielder Matt Kassel.

"We want to sign Matt," Soler said. "We have told Matt's representatives and the league what we can do and where we can go salary-wise. So I know that they are working on that now to get the last pieces together for us. Matt has the potential, of course you never know if he's going to break through, but he's homegrown and that's important to us."

Finally, the team also announced that Mike Petke will be returning to the club in an administrative role. Petke, the longtime defender who retired at the end of last season, will be an individual development coach as well as a business operations manager.

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Do you like the signings for New York? Who do you want the Red Bulls to take in the draft? Pleased to hear that Kassel is likely to sign with the club? Happy that Petke will remain with the organization?

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