2026 has been a year of incredible growth for Red Bull New York midfielder Ronald Donkor.
The 21-year-old has been integral to the Red Bulls’ fifth-place Eastern Conference standing, having started 14 of 15 MLS matches during Michael Bradley’s first season in charge of the first team.
His all-action, box-to-box presence has energized the midfield, and he’s provided plenty of match-changing moments.
Across 1,183 minutes of MLS play, Donkor has scored one goal and recorded four assists. His 24 key passes only trail captain Emil Forsberg (25) for the team lead.
The Mentality Change Behind Donkor’s Rapid Rise
The biggest change for the promising Ghanaian has been the shift in his mentality. Donkor used to ruminate over a single missed pass and would allow himself to get frustrated during the challenging periods that can occur within a long season.
“I used to carry things when things are not going well, and now I can see a big difference,” Donkor told South Ward Central in an exclusive interview on Friday. “Right now, the confidence I have and the confidence the coaches give to me motivates me a lot.”
Donkor credits Bradley and the Red Bull New York technical staff for helping him balance his emotions and channel his burning desire to succeed into producing the best form of his career in his fourth MLS season.
“I’m grateful for Mike and all the coaching staff,” he stated. “I’ve been learning a lot from him and all the coaching staff. They’ve been really good to me. They are helping me to reach the next level because they believe in me, and I think that’s helping me a lot.
“I used to be angry even when I missed one pass, but they always help me to know how to make things right. If I’m angry or miss one pass, they always encourage me. They have helped me progress.”
Why Donkor’s New Red Bull New York Contract Was an Easy Decision
That progress paid off in a big way when Donkor agreed to a three-and-a-half-year contract extension with the club on June 2. His new contract runs through the 2029-30 season and includes an option for the 2030-31 season. The deal will start on January 1, 2027.
“First of all, I’m grateful to God,” Donkor replied when speaking for the first time about his contract extension. “I’m grateful to the team. They’ve been good to me since I came here. [Since] my first day coming here, they’ve been good to me. It was easy for me to accept the new contract.
“It was easy for me because I’m happy. I’m already happy here. I wanted to continue my career here, so it was easy for me to accept.”
Donkor’s Path From Ghana To Red Bull Stardom
When the news of his extension broke, Donkor was relaxing at home in Ghana. Within minutes of the deal being announced, his house was surrounded by friends and well-wishers.
“I remember I was back home when they posted it on Instagram,” he recalled. “I remember just two minutes [after the news broke], all my friends were coming to my house. They were happy about it because I didn’t tell anyone. It was really good. People look up to me because even when I go to Ghana, I used to train with the kids and explain how things go to them. They are really happy about it.”
Alongside fellow Ghanaian and close friend Mohammed Sofo, Donkor joined the Red Bulls in 2023 from Malian academy Guidars FC after the pair progressed together through JMG Academy.
“I’ve been playing with Momo since childhood,” Donkor explained. “It was easy to play with him. I went to the JMG Academy when I was young, and I met him over there.
“When I went there, it was really good. They have good players there. He was really good. We moved from Ghana to Mali, and everything started from there. It’s easy to play with Momo. He’s a good guy on and off the pitch. The journey so far has been really good.”
Forsberg Believes Donkor Has a Bright Future Ahead
Only Forsberg and tricky winger Cade Cowell have contributed more assists (five each) for Red Bull New York than Donkor, who is tied alongside MLS All-Star Julian Hall and rising 17-year-old midfielder Adri Mehmeti with four apiece.
Forsberg has seen high-potential players come and go during his 17-year professional career spent at Red Bull New York, RB Leipzig and Swedish sides GIF Sundsvall and Malmö FF.
Sometimes, talented players only show a flicker of their potential before fading. The 34-year-old Red Bull New York captain recognizes the growth in Donkor’s abilities and believes that the young Ghanaian is capable of delivering on his full potential should he continue putting in the hard work.
“I’m happy for Ronald,” Forsberg told South Ward Central on Tuesday. “He deserved it; he’s been playing fantastic. I think his evolution this year and last year, in the end, as well, has been going in that direction.
“He has a lot of potential, and he can go far. Like I said, it’s important to keep the hard work coming, even though you signed a new contract, it’s important to stay humble, work hard and want to do more.”
Donkor has impressed the Red Bulls with his eagerness to improve, combined with his near boundless energy and his application on the pitch.
He’s demonstrated why he’ll be a player to watch for years to come. Donkor and his teammates will return to competitive action on July 22, when the Red Bulls visit Philadelphia to face the Union at Subaru Park.
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