The New York Red Bulls announced today the signing of a trio of defenders, Damien Perrinelle, Andrew Jean-Baptiste and Ronald Zubar. Perrinelle and Jean-Baptiste are currently in camp with the team in Orlando. Zubar will join the team shortly, pending a physical and approval of his P-1 Visa.
Per league rules, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Perrinelle joined the Red Bulls in July of 2014. He made two regular season MLS appearances, and also made four starts for New York in the CONCACAF Champions League. His option was not picked up at the end of the 2014 season.
Before joining the Red Bulls, Perrinelle most recently played for FC Istres of Ligue 2 in France. The defender began his professional career in 2001 with Amiens SC, a member of the Championnat National, the third level of French Football.
Following his stint with Amiens SC, Perrinelle made the jump to Ligue 2 in France in 2004. The defender played for US Creteil in 2004, Clermont Foot in 2005, US Boulogne from 2006-2010 and then a second stint with Clermont Foot from 2010-2013.
Jean-Baptiste, a 2012 MLS first-round pick, joins the Red Bulls after playing last season with Chivas USA. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native was selected eighth overall in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft by the Portland Timbers after playing two years of college soccer with the UConn Huskies.
The 6’2” defender made 31 appearances over two years for Portland. He was a regular in 2013, making 22 starts and 26 total appearances during the regular season. Jean-Baptiste joined Chivas via trade in December 2013 and saw action in 10 games in 2014.
Jean-Baptiste attended Brentwood High School on Long Island, and was named Newsday’s High School Player of the Year in 2009. In 2010 he trained with the Red Bulls Under-23 team and also has two caps with the U.S.U-18 team under his belt.
Zubar, a native of Guadelupe, France, joins New York from French side Ajaccio. The Frenchman began his professional career with Ligue 2 side Caen before earning a move to Ligue 1 with Marseille, where he also made UEFA Champions League appearances. He then spent four years with English side Wolverhampton, including time playing in the Premier League, before returning to France in 2013 with Ajaccio.
The 29-year-old has 257 professional appearances to his name. He has also been a part of French U-16, U-17, U-18 and U-21 teams.
The Red Bulls kick off the 2015 season on the road in Kansas City on Sunday, March 8. The fifth season of soccer at Red Bull Arena opens on Sunday, March 22 when New York hosts rival D.C. United at 5 p.m.
