Ibrahim Sekagya eyes MLS title

By Fred Kaweesi

Red Bulls v Lyon

Ibrahim Sekagya has pledged to break into New York Red Bulls’ first team and help the club to their first Major Soccer League (MLS) title in history.

“I wanted a new challenge in my career and this is one that suits me,” Sekagya told reporters after taking part in his side’s training session on Thursday.

The Ugandan defender inspired Red Bulls’ sister club to three Austrian Bundesliga titles, a League Cup —an impressive trophy haul he plans to replicate in New York.

“I want this team to be champions too. I have done this where I was. Now, this is a new challenge and I think the players will help me achieve this. The quality (here) is capable of achieving that,” Sekagya stated a day after joining the New York club on a free.

It’s reported that the former Cranes captain sealed a two and a half year contract which places him among the club’s highest paid players.

Henry earns $4.35m (sh11.3b) a year, slightly higher than teammate Tim Cahill —the two highest paid players in the MLS.

He will complete the move after securing receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.

Per club and league policy, terms of the deal were also not released.

“He brings exactly what we need: leadership, depth, a supporting role that he can also step into,” Petke told MLS SOCCER.COM.

“Markus Holgersson and Olave Jamison are my guys right now. He’s not coming in [to challenge for a spot], he’s not a threat, but as the year goes on, like always, positions are always up for grabs.”

“He was brought in because we had a depth problem, and the experiences that he’s had all over the world and the level that he’s played at and his knowledge of the game, once he gets fit, he could be a very good option for us.”

However, Sekagya did not move to make numbers. “I came to show what I can do. On Tuesday [in a friendly vs. Lyon], also, it will be one of my important games if I get a chance of playing, but I just take it easy now. I just came here; I just have to see how things go.”