U.S. youth international Cameron Harper signs with Red Bulls

Cameron Harper completed his long-awaited deal with the New York Red Bulls, a move that brings the former Celtic attacker and United States youth international to MLS.

The club announced Harper is joining on a three-year contract with an option held by the organization for a fourth year.

The 19-year old, a wide player capable on either wing, has been a regular with the United States U20 national team in recent months.

“We are delighted to welcome Cameron to our club,” Kevin Thelwell, head of sport, said in a statement released by the organization. “Cameron is a sharp young talent who has been rising through the ranks of Celtic and the U.S. Youth National Teams. Cameron possesses mental, physical, and technical attributes that make us believe he has a bright future, and we’re pleased that he has decided to take the next step in his career with us.”

Harper is one of a handful of relatively low-key moves orchestrated this offseason by the Red Bulls. The deal is symbolic of the Red Bulls offseason to date, an offseason that certainly lacks a big splash or a marquee signing.

And yet Harper is likely an ideal fit for the Red Bulls.

Always looking to get forward, Harper has good technical skill as well as the ability to play quick, one-touch passes and move into space. He is creative on the dribble and has a good work rate.

For a club that high presses and counter-presses, several of these attributes will be useful in getting Harper first team minutes.

Harper had a single appearance for Celtic, coming this past January when he started in a 1-1 result in the Scottish Premier League against Hibernian.

The signing is typical of the Red Bulls, who have in recent years targeted youth and athleticism in recent transfer windows.

So far this offseason, the notable other moves for the Red Bulls include signing former Inter Miami centerback Andres Reyes, trading United States national team defender Tim Parker as well as adding young players such as Venezuelan youth international Wikelman Carmona, Homegrown signee Bento Estrella and Brazilian forward Fabio Gomes Netto.