The New York Red Bulls have signed Venezuelan midfielder Cristian Casseres, Jr. to an MLS contract pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and ITC, the club announced today. Casseres, Jr. is a Discovery Signing, and will occupy an international spot on the Red Bulls roster. The midfielder has featured in Venezuela's first division and has represented Venezuela on the U-17 and U-20 national teams.

Casseres Jr. is currently with the Red Bulls in Oldsmar, Florida for preseason camp.

"Cristian is an exciting young player that we are happy to welcome to our club," said Sporting Director Denis Hamlett. "He was identified through our scouting network as a player that has the qualities we look for, and we were glad to get him here in time for the start of preseason camp. We look forward to getting him integrated and seeing how he can help our club."

Casseres Jr., who recently turned 18, has risen quickly through the ranks for club and country in his native Venezuela. At the age of 16, the midfielder made his professional debut for Deportivo La Guaira in the Venezuelan First Division. Casseres, Jr. made 15 total appearances for the senior team and scored once.

"What we've seen from Cristian has been promising," said Head Coach Jesse Marsch. "He fits into our style of play and we think he can contribute at the MLS level. I look forward to him establishing himself within the group and competing every day."

For country, Casseres, Jr. was a fixture for the Venezuelan U-17 squad before being called into camp for the U-20 side. He was also on the roster for the 2017 CONMEBOL Under-17 Football Championship, starting seven of the nine matches and scoring one goal.

"I am very happy to have signed with the New York Red Bulls," said Casseres Jr., "I believe this is one of the best clubs in MLS and I am excited to get started with my career here."

Casseres Jr. is following in the footsteps of his father, Cristian Casseres Sr., who played for the Venezuelan national team. Casseres Sr. played for Atletico Venezuela's first team while Casseres Jr. was on the U-14 team.