HARRISON, NJ (January 17, 2015) - The New York Red Bulls have signed first-round draft pick Leo Stolz to an MLS contract, pending a physical and approval of his P-1 Visa, the club announced today. The Red Bulls selected Stolz with the 18th overall pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft on Thursday in Philadelphia.
Per league terms, details of the deal were not disclosed.
Stolz, a native of Munich, Germany, spent the last three years at UCLA, including two as the Bruins captain. The attacking midfielder compiled 20 goals and 22 assists in 63 NCAA appearances. Last week, he was named the 2014 Mac Hermann Award winner, which recognizes college soccer’s best player.
“In the soccer community, many consider Leo to be the best player in this draft,” said Red Bulls Sporting Director Ali Curtis. “We are excited to welcome such an accomplished player to the Red Bull family. We’re confident that our environment, coupled with Jesse Marsch’s coaching and leadership, will allow Leo to reach his full potential as a player.”
Stolz also earned accolades as the Soccer America Player of the Year, and was a consensus pick for first-team All-American honors from College Soccer News, the NSCAA, the Pac-12 Conference, Soccer America and Top Drawer Soccer.
As a senior, Stolz started all 24 games for the Bruins, leading the team in goals (9) and points (24), while tying for the lead in assists (6). The Bruins reached the College Cup semifinals in 2014.
Prior to his UCLA days, Stolz spent seven years with the 1860 Munich academy, and elected to attend college in the United States despite receiving a senior contract offer from the club at 18. He was also a member of the extended German Under-18 national team.
The Red Bulls begin the 2015 season on Sunday, March 8 with a trip Kansas City as part of a MLS opening weekend triple-header. The fifth season of Red Bull Arena opens on Sunday, March 22 when New York hosts rival D.C. United at 5 p.m.
Leo Stolz
- Position: Midfielder
- College: UCLA
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 170
- DOB: 2/15/1991
- Hometown: Munich, Germany
