BREAKING: Red Bull New York Signs Matthew Dos Santos to First Team Contract
- Daniel Rebain
- 10 minutes ago
- 3 min read
The busy winter transfer window continues for the new Head of Sport, Julian de Guzman. Two weeks into the MLS regular season, Red Bull New York is officially signing Red Bull II left back Matthew Dos Santos to a first-team contract.
The 17-year-old Sandy Hook, Connecticut native signed a three-and-a-half-year MLS contract through the 2028-2029 season, with options for the 2029-2030 and 2030-2031 seasons. Dos Santos, a Brazilian-American dual national, is the 38th homegrown player in Red Bull history and the third from Connecticut, joining the likes of Ben Mines (Ridgefield, CT) and Kevin Politz (New Haven, CT).
“We’re very pleased to sign Matty to a first-team contract. He’s a young player who has shown strong growth through our pathway and has earned this opportunity with his commitment and performances,” said Head of Sport Julian de Guzman. “We believe Matty has the mentality and potential to continue developing within our environment, and we’re excited to support the next step in his progression.”
Talks between Dos Santos' agent and Red Bull started earlier this week, and pen was put to paper on Thursday at Sports Illustrated Stadium. This comes after Dos Santos exhausted the number of games, two, he could appear in for the senior team as a short-term call-up from the reserve team.
For Dos Santos, it's been an exciting calendar year. Matty signed his first professional contract with Red Bull New York II, earned his first United States under-17 call-up, and won the MLS NEXT Pro Cup. Now 359 days later, Matty is fully integrated with the first team in Harrison, New Jersey.
“Matty has worked hard every day to put himself in this position. He’s shown a real willingness to learn, a good understanding of what we ask from players in his role, and the character we value in this group,” said Head Coach Michael Bradley. “This contract is a positive step for him, and now the focus is on continuing to push his development and helping the team in any way he can.”
It's been a hectic start to the season for Dos Santos. He wouldn't make the trip to IMG Academy to begin training camp with three left backs already on the roster. But a couple of weeks later, with Red Bull ending their preseason in Texas at the Torneo de Tejas, Michael Bradley brought Matty on the trip.
With Marcelo Morales (loaned back to Chile) and Raheem Edwards (waived/bought out) no longer on the roster, Dos Santos ran with the opportunity presented to him and started the final two preseason games for Red Bull.
Dos Santos left a positive lasting impression on the staff, and he was called up to the first team to begin the season on the road against Orlando City. Not only did he make the match-day roster, but Michael Bradley put him into the opening night lineup.
Alongside Julian Hall (17 years and 334 days) and Adri Mehmeti (16 years, 321 days), Dos Santos made history that night. It was the first time in league history that three players age 17 or younger started for a club in the same game.
Dos Santos, who wasn't even signed to a first-team contract, became the ninth-youngest player in franchise history to make their first MLS start, at 17 years, 261 days old.
One week later, in the team's home opener against the New England Revolution at Sports Illustrated Stadium, Dos Santos was again part of the starting lineup. Red Bull came away with a 1-0 victory, but more importantly, Dos Santos collected his first career MLS assist in the same corner where all the families sit.
That moment was more than just a stat sheet entry; it was the final proof the front office needed. It was a fitting milestone to cap off a whirlwind calendar year for Dos Santos.
With ink now dry on his first-team contract, Matthew Dos Santos’ transition from MLS NEXT Pro champion to the MLS is complete. His rapid ascent over the past 365 days serves as just another feather in the cap for the Red Bull Academy pathway—proving that when talent meets opportunity, age means absolutely nothing.
As Matty trades his "temporary" status for a permanent stall in the locker room at Sports Illustrated Stadium, the Red Bull faithful have every reason to be excited. The kid from Sandy Hook didn't just knock on the door of the first team; he kicked it down, and he’s clearly here to stay.
For more on Matthew Dos Santos and his path to Red Bull New York, check out my sit-down interview with Matty from October of last season.
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