Shaun Wright-Phillips has signed for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, linking up with his brother Bradley once again.
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Shaun, 33, has signed for Jesse Marsch’s side after being released by Queens Park Rangers following the end of his contract this summer. The former Manchester City and Chelsea winger has played for England 36 times, scoring three goals, and appeared at the 2010 World Cup. During his career in the Premier League the diminutive winger won a PL title, FA Cup and League Cup with Chelsea and a League Cup with Man City.
It is not the first time Shaun and Bradley have lined up together, as the duo were both on the books at City in the past. The elder Wright-Phillips is a tricky winger with incredible acceleration and good close control, and after training with the Red Bulls since June to work on his fitness he obviously impressed their front office to help him revive his career.
Speaking about why he signed SWP, Red Bulls head coach Marsch had the following to say:
SWP will not be a Designated Player with the Red Bulls, as his salary is expected to be well below the $436,250 prorated over a full season, and his arrival comes as Didier Drogba is also expected to make a move to the Montreal Impact, joining the huge wave of experience foreign imports heading to MLS with Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, David Villa, Kaka and Andrea Pirlo already in their debut seasons in North America’s top-flight.
With Bradley banging in goals for fun up front -- BWP has eight goals in 19 games this season and scored 31 in 37 appearances last season -- Lloyd Sam on one wing burning defenses with his pace, plus Mike Grella in fine form and Sacha Kljestan knitting everything together in midfield, the Red Bulls now possess another attacking weapon as SWP and BWP will look to run riot in MLS for RBNY.