Denis Hamlett (above) on Red Bulls’ new head of scouting Benjamin Ehresmann: “He has a great track record of identifying young, talented players, which fits into our club philosophy.” (Andy Mead/YCJ Photo

HARRISON, N.J. – Benjamin Ehresmann has been named head of scouting for the Red Bulls, the Major League Soccer club announced Wednesday.

Ehresmann brings an extensive scouting background and experience after working in European clubs.

“We are pleased to add Benjamin to our club,” Red Bulls sporting director Denis Hamlett said in a statement. “He has a great track record of identifying young, talented players, which fits into our club philosophy. We look forward to getting him up to speed to strengthen our scouting network.”

A native of Frankfurt, Germany, Ehresmann is a former professional who most recently served as the head video analyst for scouting with RB Leipzig as the club was promoted through Germany’s lower leagues to the Bundesliga.

“I am extremely happy to be here,” Ehresmann said in a press release. “I would like to use my many years of experience to contribute to the success of the New York Red Bulls. As the head of scouting, I have the task to build up a professional scouting department and to work together closely with [sporting director] Denis Hamlett, [head coach] Jesse Marsch and the coaching staff, and also [academy director] David Longwell to find the best and most talented players.”

A midfielder, Ehresmann began working as a youth coach for RB Leipzig in 2009 while playing in lower division leagues. He turned to coaching full-time in 2012, and began taking on video scouting responsibilities before being named the head video analyst for scouting with Leipzig’s senior side in 2013.

Ehresmann scouted worldwide for Leipzig, helping shape a scouting philosophy for the club. He helped identify many first team players for the side that finished second in the Bundesliga last season and will compete in the UEFA Champions League during the 2017-18 season.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.