HARRISON, N.J. (December, 19, 2017) – The New York Red Bulls have signed midfielder Florian Valot to an MLS contract pending receipt of his P-1 Visa, the club announced today. Valot, 23, joins the senior team after two seasons with NYRB II, the club’s USL affiliate. He will occupy an international spot on the Red Bulls roster.
“We are pleased to add Florian to the senior roster,” said Red Bulls Sporting Director Denis Hamlett. “Florian is another promising young player that impressed us at the USL level and earned this opportunity. He was identified during our college scouting, invited to play with our Under-23 team and signed a professional contract. Adding him to the first team roster is a proud moment for Florian, his family, and everyone at the club.”
Valot signed with NYRB II in June of 2016 after an early season trial. He had previously played with the Red Bulls Under-23 team in PDL during the summer of 2015.
“Florian has been really patient,” said Red Bulls Head Coach Jesse Marsch. “For two years, we have watched him play really well with the USL team and we have known how talented he is. It is due time that we added him to the First Team. We are all very excited to have him in preseason, push him along in the first group and give him an opportunity to establish himself at this club.”
Valot had his best season with NYRB II in 2017, tallying career-high marks in games played (32), minutes played (2585), goals (10) and assists (7). In two seasons with Red Bulls II, he has recorded 53 games played with 13 goals and 13 assists over 3,797 minutes played.
“First, I would like to thank the coaches and staff for the opportunity that has been given to me,” said Valot. “This organization has helped me grow not only as a player, but as a person and has prepared me for this next step of my career. I would also like to thank my family, friends and teammates for the endless support through the entire season. Even though it is a dream come true, it has been a long journey and this is certainly not the end, but the beginning of a new one. I will continue to work hard and push myself to be able to contribute to the success of this team.”
Valot, a native of Pau, France, spent time in the Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco youth systems before coming the United States for college. He played two seasons at Rider University, making 34 appearances while recording 13 goals and six assists.
Transaction: New York Red Bulls Sign midfielder Florian Valot to an MLS contract on December 19, 2017, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa. Valot will occupy an international spot on the Red Bulls roster.
BEST OF FLORIAN VALOT 2017 | NYRBII by New York Red Bulls on Exposure
