Red Bull New York’s technical staff worked late into the night as Wednesday turned to Thursday to ensure an area of need at left-back was addressed before the MLS Secondary Transfer Window closed at 1 a.m.
Head coach Michael Bradley, head of sport Julian de Guzman, technical director Tiger Fitzpatrick, director of soccer Sam Goldberg and head scout Jimmy Mulligan huddled together and were able to acquire defender Devin Padelford on loan from Minnesota United FC.
“Julian and everybody inside the club — Tiger, Sam, Jimmy, it was a really strong group effort at the end of the window here to try to maximize every opportunity,” Bradley said during Red Bull New York’s Thursday afternoon press conference.
Though the loan deal was announced at noon Thursday well after the deadline had passed, all of the paperwork, processing and approval occurred prior to the transfer window slamming shut.
Red Bull New York Excited By Padelford’s Athleticism, Competitiveness
Padelford joined up with Red Bull New York following Thursday’s training session and was handed the No. 59 shirt.
Though he can play center-back, it’s more likely that the 23-year-old will figure into the competition at left-back.
“We’re really excited to add Devin to the group,” Bradley said. “Bringing Devin in gives us another MLS-proven young player who has athleticism. He has competitiveness. He has some versatility in terms of his ability to play left-back, left center-back, and so we’re really excited to add him into what we’re doing.”
“Everything is a competition, always. Now we add Devin to the mix. Everything that we’ve seen and everything that we’ve heard from teammates and coaches that have worked with Devin is that he is a really good trainer every day. He competes in a really strong way.”
Padelford’s Arrival Eases Burden Off Rookie Dos Santos
Matthew Dos Santos has started 20 of 21 MLS matches at left-back. The 18-year-old has mostly impressed given that he has been asked to play a significant role in his rookie year, but there have been moments when he’s struggled, which is par for the course in a debut season.
“Matty’s had a really good season,” Bradley stated. “Like any young player, there have been little ups and downs and moments where things have gone really well. There have been moments that have challenged him.
“But his mentality, his ability to keep playing and keep pushing, that part has been really positive. So we will look at everything. We’ll evaluate on a day-to-day and week-to-week basis and figure out the best way to put it all together.”
The addition of Padelford means that the left-back load will be eased off Dos Santos. Omar Valencia started just one MLS match this season after starting 17 league matches in 2025.
Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty has been used sparingly at left-back and will continue to compete with Dylan Nealis for minutes at right-back.
Padelford and fellow new addition David Ruiz could debut for Red Bull New York in Saturday’s road meeting against Seattle Sounders FC.
Saturday’s contest at Lumen Field is scheduled to kick off at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
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