“We are absolutely thrilled to bring in a player of Tim’s caliber to the Red Bulls,” said New York Red Bulls General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler. “He is the technical, physical presence we have been looking to add in our team and he brings a wealth of experience to our club having played in some of the highest levels of international soccer. Tim is a proven leader both on and off the field and we believe that he can help us immediately in our quest to win the MLS Cup this season.”
“I am very happy to start a new chapter of my career with the New York Red Bulls,” Cahill said. “As we have seen over the past few years, MLS has developed into a very competitive league with many talented players. I am impressed with what the Red Bulls are trying to accomplish in MLS and within American soccer and I am looking forward to this new challenge. I will do everything I can to help bring New York its first MLS Cup.”
“I also want to thank everyone at Everton, from the club to tremendous supporters. It has been a privilege to be an Everton player for the past eight years and it was a very difficult decision to leave. I will always support Everton and I wish the club the best of luck in the future.”
Cahill, a player who has featured as an attacking midfielder and forward during his career, comes to New York after an illustrious career with English Premier League side, Everton FC, where he had played since 2004. He had made 278 appearances for the Toffees, scoring 68 goals over eight seasons with the club. The Australian was Everton’s leading scorer in his first year with the team and was named Player of the Season. Cahill was also the club’s leading scorer with nine goals in the 2008/09 campaign and served as team captain for part of the 2009/10 season. The 32-year-old became the 71st player in Premier League history to reach the 50 goal milestone when he scored against Blackpool in Nov. 6 2010. Last season, Cahill featured in 41 games, tallying three goals in all competitions. In October 2006, Cahill was named as one of 50 nominees for the Ballon D’Or, given to the European Football of the Year.
Prior to joining Everton, Cahill featured for English side, Millwall, where he made a total of 249 appearances and scored 56 goals. Cahill was part of the side that went the FA Cup Final for the first time in club history in the 2003-04 season and earned a spot in the UEFA Cup. He helped his side earn promotion to the English First Division after it finished first in the 2000-01 campaign. Cahill joined MIllwall from Sydney United.
On the international level, Cahill featured in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups as a member of the Australian National Team. He was the first Australian to score a World Cup goal in 2006, when he found the back of the net against Japan, and helped his country earn a spot in the Round of 16. He has earned a total of 55 caps for Australia, amassing 24 goals – three of which came in the two World Cups he played in.
